Contributions
Abstract: EP1172
Type: E-Poster Presentation
Session title: Quality of life, palliative care, ethics and health economics
Background
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using multipotent haematopoietic stem cells from either the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic) is often the only potentially curative treatment for haematological malignancies such as lymphoma, leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. In addition to the physical effects exerted by the transplantation procedure and the underlying disease, HSCT may have a psychosocial impact on patients, families and carers.
Aims
To identify the areas of psychosocial impact experienced and reported by adult patients with lymphoma, leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndromes who have undergone HSCT.
Methods
A targeted literature search was conducted to identify relevant research published between 1 January 2009 and 30 January 2021 by searching CINAHL, EMBASE, IPA, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO using combinations of search terms referring to HSCT, the disease areas of interest, and phrases related to psychosocial impact (e.g. patient experience). Abstracts and full text articles were screened for relevance by two independent researchers, and the PRISMA statement was followed for this literature review.
Results
Our search retrieved 868 unique records; 826 records were excluded through abstract and full-text screening. The 42 remaining articles were deemed relevant and included in our analysis. Using meta-ethnography, a method for synthesising qualitative research and interpreting findings across multiple studies, we identified three key themes (“feelings about transplantation”, “changes in psychosocial functioning after transplantation”, “coping”) and eight associated categories that describe the impact of HSCT. Among these categories, psychological distress was most frequently discussed, suggesting it contributes considerably to the psychosocial burden. This category includes issues such as anxiety that can be experienced by both patients and caregivers, occurring with greater intensity at certain stages of the treatment journey and potentially lasting for years post-transplantation. Altered relationships was the second most discussed category, when patients are being drawn nearer to or pushed away from others. Expectations of survivorship and lack of preparedness was the next most discussed category, where patients are confronted with the reality of life after transplantation, as they often experience persistent health effects and do not return to their lives pre-diagnosis as hoped.
Conclusion
HSCT exerts a considerable psychosocial impact on patients, their families and carers. Psychological distress – the most frequently mentioned experience – is not restricted to the period of transplantation but can persist for many years after transplantation. Patients feel unprepared for the journey ahead of them and are required to make significant adjustments at the survivorship stage. Furthering our understanding of this burden might contribute to improved patient support systems, and knowledge of both the psychosocial and physical burden of HSCT could potentially enable patients to make more informed treatment decisions when comparing transplantation with other treatment options.
Keyword(s): Hematological malignancy, HSCT, Quality of life
Abstract: EP1172
Type: E-Poster Presentation
Session title: Quality of life, palliative care, ethics and health economics
Background
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using multipotent haematopoietic stem cells from either the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic) is often the only potentially curative treatment for haematological malignancies such as lymphoma, leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. In addition to the physical effects exerted by the transplantation procedure and the underlying disease, HSCT may have a psychosocial impact on patients, families and carers.
Aims
To identify the areas of psychosocial impact experienced and reported by adult patients with lymphoma, leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndromes who have undergone HSCT.
Methods
A targeted literature search was conducted to identify relevant research published between 1 January 2009 and 30 January 2021 by searching CINAHL, EMBASE, IPA, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO using combinations of search terms referring to HSCT, the disease areas of interest, and phrases related to psychosocial impact (e.g. patient experience). Abstracts and full text articles were screened for relevance by two independent researchers, and the PRISMA statement was followed for this literature review.
Results
Our search retrieved 868 unique records; 826 records were excluded through abstract and full-text screening. The 42 remaining articles were deemed relevant and included in our analysis. Using meta-ethnography, a method for synthesising qualitative research and interpreting findings across multiple studies, we identified three key themes (“feelings about transplantation”, “changes in psychosocial functioning after transplantation”, “coping”) and eight associated categories that describe the impact of HSCT. Among these categories, psychological distress was most frequently discussed, suggesting it contributes considerably to the psychosocial burden. This category includes issues such as anxiety that can be experienced by both patients and caregivers, occurring with greater intensity at certain stages of the treatment journey and potentially lasting for years post-transplantation. Altered relationships was the second most discussed category, when patients are being drawn nearer to or pushed away from others. Expectations of survivorship and lack of preparedness was the next most discussed category, where patients are confronted with the reality of life after transplantation, as they often experience persistent health effects and do not return to their lives pre-diagnosis as hoped.
Conclusion
HSCT exerts a considerable psychosocial impact on patients, their families and carers. Psychological distress – the most frequently mentioned experience – is not restricted to the period of transplantation but can persist for many years after transplantation. Patients feel unprepared for the journey ahead of them and are required to make significant adjustments at the survivorship stage. Furthering our understanding of this burden might contribute to improved patient support systems, and knowledge of both the psychosocial and physical burden of HSCT could potentially enable patients to make more informed treatment decisions when comparing transplantation with other treatment options.
Keyword(s): Hematological malignancy, HSCT, Quality of life