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Late Effects of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Among 10-Year Adult Survivors Compared With Case-Matched Controls

From the Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Behavioral Sciences; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine; and School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Address reprint requests to Karen Syrjala, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., D5-220, Seattle, WA, 98109; e-mail: ksyrjala{at}fhcrc.org

PURPOSE: To determine late effects of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) on health problems and health-related quality of life for 10-year survivors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred five adults consented to the study before HCT. Medical records and standardized self-report measures were maintained prospectively. After 10 years, 137 survivors and nontransplant controls, case-matched on age, sex, and race, completed self-report of medical problems, symptoms, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS: Survivors and controls had similar rates of hospitalization and most diseases, but survivors reported an average of 3.5 medical problems versus 1.7 for controls (P < .001). Survivors reported more musculoskeletal stiffness, cramps, weakness and joint swelling (P < .001), cataract surgery (P < .001), hepatitis C (P = .004), sexual problems for men (P = .01) and women (P < .001), restrictions in social function (P = .002), memory and attention concerns (P = .003), urinary frequency or leaking (P = .006), use of psychotropic medication (P = .009), and denial of life and health insurance (P < .001). Survivors and controls did not differ in self-reported rates of osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, employment, marital satisfaction, divorce, or psychological health.

CONCLUSION: Although indistinguishable in many respects, survivors had more medical needs than controls. Health problems were not focused on specific diseases or limited to survivors with readily identifiable risk factors. Musculoskeletal problems require both screening and research into etiologies and effective treatments. Osteoporosis and hypothyroidism may be underdiagnosed. Survivors require screening for sexual problems, urinary frequency, mood and need for antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Supported by Grants No. CA63030 and CA78990 from the National Cancer Institute.

Presented in part at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2nd annual meeting, Phoenix, AZ, January 27–29, 2005.

Authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.

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