Prevalence of physical problems detected by the distress thermometer and problem list in patients with myeloproliferative disorders Journal Article

   

Authors:	McFarland, D. C.; Shaffer, K. M.; Polizzi, H.; Mascarenhas, J.; Kremyanskaya, M.; Holland, J.; Hoffman, R.
Article Title:	Prevalence of physical problems detected by the distress thermometer and problem list in patients with myeloproliferative disorders
Abstract:	Background: Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) can have a severe physical symptom burden over an extended disease trajectory that contributes to decreased quality of life. Few studies, however, have characterized which patients most frequently consider physical symptoms a problem. This study describes the physical symptoms of patients with MPNs and the relationship of these symptoms to patient characteristics. Methods: Patients with MPNs (N=117) completed questionnaires in a dedicated academic medical center MPN clinic. Patients reported demographics (age, race/ethnicity, sex, marital status, employment status), disease characteristics (MPN type, time with MPN), and whether they were bothered by any of 22 variables in the "Physical Problems" list in the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL). Results: The median number of physical problems endorsed by patients was 2 (median, 2.26; SD, 3.18), with a range from 0 to 20. Two-fifths endorsed no physical problems, one-fifth endorsed 1 problem, and two-fifths endorsed.2 problems, with fatigue (35.5%), sleep (27.1%), pain (21.5%), dry skin/pruritus (18.7%), and memory/concentration (16.8%) being the most commonly reported. Non-Caucasian participants reported more problems with sleep (P=.050), pain (P=.016), and tingling (P=.026). Patients with polycythemia vera (PV) reported more issues with tingling (P=.046) and sexual problems (P=.032). Conclusions: Patients with MPNs are more likely to report physical symptom bother than to report no bother with multiple physical problems on the DT&PL. Patients of minority race/ethnicity and those with PV, however, showed heightened prevalence of physical problems.characteristics which may be used to triage patients for more intensive symptom management. © JNCCN-Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Journal Title:	Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Volume:	15
Issue:	12
ISSN:	1540-1405
Publisher:	Harborside Press
Date Published:	2017-12-01
Start Page:	1503
End Page:	1508
Language:	English
DOI:	10.6004/jnccn.2017.7017
PROVIDER:	scopus
PUBMED:	29223988
PMCID:	PMC5873606
DOI/URL:	https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85038412669&doi=10.6004%2fjnccn.2017.7017&partnerID=40&md5=8c8480eef34abd58441bb009014017a1
Notes:	Article -- Export Date: 2 January 2018 -- Source: Scopus

https://synapse.mskcc.org/synapse/works/has_related_data_chk/119548