The role of sexuality symptoms in myeloproliferative neoplasm symptom burden and quality of life: an analysis by the MPN QOL International Study Group

BACKGROUND Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are faced with oppressive symptom profiles that compromise daily functioning and quality of life. Among these symptoms, sexuality-related symptoms have emerged as p...

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Main Authors: Geyer, Holly L. (Author) , Reiter, Andreas (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: April 12, 2016
In: Cancer
Year: 2016, Volume: 122, Issue: 12, Pages: 1888-1896
ISSN:1097-0142
DOI:10.1002/cncr.30013
Online Access:Volltext
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Author Notes:Holly L. Geyer MD, Bjorn Andreasson MD, Heidi E. Kosiorek MS, Amylou C. Dueck PhD, Robyn M. Scherber MD, MPH, Kari A. Martin MD, Kristina A. Butler MD, Claire N. Harrison MD, Deepti H. Radia MD, Francisco Cervantes MD, Jean‐Jacques Kiladjian MD, PhD, Andreas Reiter MD, Gunnar Birgegard MD, Francesco Passamonti MD, Zhenya Senyak, Alessandro M. Vannucchi MD, Chiara Paoli BS, Zhijian Xiao MD, Jan Samuelsson MD, and Ruben A. Mesa MD
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Summary:BACKGROUND Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are faced with oppressive symptom profiles that compromise daily functioning and quality of life. Among these symptoms, sexuality-related symptoms have emerged as particularly prominent and largely unaddressed. In the current study, the authors evaluated how sexuality symptoms from MPN relate to other patient characteristics, disease features, treatments, and symptoms. METHODS A total of 1971 patients with MPN (827 with essential thrombocythemia, 682 with polycythemia vera, 456 with myelofibrosis, and 6 classified as other) were prospectively evaluated and patient responses to the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (MPN-SAF) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ C30) were collected, along with information regarding individual disease characteristics and laboratory data. Sexuality scores were compared with an age-matched, healthy control population. RESULTS Overall, patients with MPN were found to have greater sexual dysfunction compared with the healthy population (MPN-SAF score of 3.6 vs 2.0; P<.001), with 64% of patients with MPN describing some degree of sexual dysfunction and 43% experiencing severe symptoms. The presence of sexual symptoms correlated closely with all domains of patient functionality (physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and role functioning) and were associated with a reduced quality of life. Sexual problems also were found to be associated with other MPN symptoms, particularly depression and nocturnal and microvascular-related symptoms. Sexual dysfunction was more severe in patients aged >65 years and in those with cytopenias and transfusion requirements, and those receiving certain therapies such as immunomodulators or steroids. Conclusions The results of the current study identify the topic of sexuality as a prominent issue for the MPN population, and this area would appear to benefit from additional investigation and management.
Item Description:Gesehen am 13.12.2019
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1097-0142
DOI:10.1002/cncr.30013