Objective: To assess the quality of life (QOL) in long-term survivors with acute leukemia (AL).
Methods: Ninety-five long-term survivors with AL drawn from 29 hospitals in Shanghai during the period 1984 - 1994 were studied. Questionnaire FACT-G was completed in order to assess the QOL for long-term survivors with AL.
Results: Questionnaires assessing QOL were filled in by 95 long-term survivors with AL. Majority of the survivor turned out having normal QOL. The average QOL score was 85. Patients aged over 60 years old and illiterate had higher QOL score. About 50% of the patients had returned to full-time job or school. 12.6% of the patients had had secondary diseases due to chemotherapy. Nearly half of the married patients were not satisfied with their sexual life.
Conclusion: Thus, prevention of having secondary diseases and to keep sexual function must call for serious attention during chemotherapy. The biggest challenge was to prevent relapse and the affordability to treatment.