Self-Reported Distress: Adult Acute Leukemia Survivors During and After Induction Therapy
Joanne L Lester1, Robin Stout2, Kara Crosthwaite1
1Ohio State University Medical Center.
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
|March 19, 2017
Summary
Acute leukemia survivors report significant distress throughout survivorship, with the highest levels experienced during initial cancer treatment. This distress does not substantially decrease over time.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychosocial Oncology
- Cancer Survivorship Research
Background:
- Acute leukemia survivors frequently experience moderate to severe psychological distress.
- This distress often persists from the time of diagnosis through the survivorship phase without significant reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the level and identify the sources of self-reported distress in acute leukemia survivors.
- To examine distress from the period of active cancer treatment up to six months post-treatment.
Main Methods:
- Employed a cross-sectional group-comparison research design.
- Recruited male (n=60) and female (n=40) survivors aged 19-84 years.
- Collected data from participants at four distinct time points.
Main Results:
- All participant groups reported elevated levels of self-assessed distress.
- The most significant distress scores were observed during the induction therapy phase of treatment.
Conclusions:
- Distress is a persistent issue for acute leukemia survivors.
- Early treatment phases, particularly induction therapy, are associated with the highest distress levels.
