HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS RECEIVING LONG-TERM THERAPY WITH DIFFERENT...

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treatment was revolutionized by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), reducing annual mortality from 10-20% to 1-2%. This study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients receiving long-term TKI therapy in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

This observational study included 161 adult CML patients (90 males, 71 females, mean age 46.1 years) across three hospitals from January to August 2024. HRQoL was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CML24 questionnaires, comparing outcomes between different TKIs (Imatinib, Nilotinib, and Bosutinib), gender, age groups, and comorbidity impacts.

Imatinib patients showed better emotional functioning than Bosutinib (80 vs. 73, p=0.027). Female patients reported more severe symptoms across multiple domains, while males demonstrated better physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Younger patients (<40 years) showed better HRQoL outcomes. Increasing comorbidities correlated with decreased functional scales and increased symptom burden. Significant differences were observed in pain, diarrhoea, and constipation between TKI groups.

While CML patients maintain a relatively good quality of life on TKI therapy, persistent impairments remain in certain domains. Younger age and fewer comorbidities were associated with better outcomes. Gender-specific approaches to supportive care and comprehensive health management beyond CML treatment are recommended. These findings can inform clinical decision-making and identify areas for targeted interventions to enhance the quality of life in CML patients.