The Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form (MFSAF): an evidence-based brief inventory to measure quality of life and symptomatic response to treatment in myelofibrosis.

Quality of life (QoL) in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) is severely compromised by severe constitutional symptoms (i.e. fatigue, night sweats, fever, weight loss), pruritus, and symptoms from frequently massive hepatosplenomegaly. Given that no current instrument of patient reported outcomes (PRO) exists that covers the unique spectrum of symptomatology seen in MF patients, we sought to develop a new PRO instrument for MF patients for use in therapeutic clinical trials. Utilizing data from an international Internet-based survey of 458 patients with MF we created a 20-item instrument (MFSAF: Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form) which measures the symptoms reported by >10% of MF patients and includes a measure of QoL. We subsequently validated the MFSAF in a prospective trial of MF patients involving patient and provider feedback, as well as comparison to other validated instruments used in cancer patients. The MFSAF results were highly correlated with other instruments, judged comprehensive and understandable by patients, and should be considered for evaluation of MF symptoms in therapeutic trials.

Common troublesome symptoms and their impact on quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): results of a large internet-based survey.

Despite the clinical importance of health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), few data exist on the prevalence of key MDS-associated symptoms, or the correlation of those symptoms with specific disease features such as hemoglobin level. In order to better understand the burden of disease-associated symptoms in patients with MDS, we designed a 120-question Internet-based survey of QOL appropriate for patients with MDS, incorporating validated QOL measurement instruments and questions about specific therapies. The 359 survey respondents were typical of MDS patients in terms of demographics, blood counts, and disease subtype. Patients reported high levels of excessive fatigue and poor scores on QOL assessments such as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An) and the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Patients' debilitating fatigue correlated poorly with hemoglobin level, and fatigue was associated with significant impairment of both health-related QOL and ability to work or participate in desired activities. Within the limitations of self-reported data, these results provide a benchmark for future interventions to improve QOL in patients with MDS.

The burden of fatigue and quality of life in myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs): an international Internet-based survey of 1179 MPD patients.

BACKGROUND: Few objective data exist on the burden of fatigue and other constitutional symptoms in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). METHODS: The authors used validated instruments of fatigue and physical activity assessment during an Internet-based symptom survey of 1179 MPD patients (median age, 56 years; 41.4% men). RESULTS: The frequency of self-reporting was 80.7% for fatigue, which was substantially higher than that of pruritus (52.2%), night sweats (49.2%), bone pain (43.9%), fever (13.7%), and weight loss (13.1%). In the majority of patients, these symptoms restricted participation in both social functions and physical activity. In addition, 34.5% of patients needed assistance with activities of daily living, and 11.2% reported MPD-associated medical disability. As expected, the presence of myelofibrosis, anemia, splenomegaly, or other features associated with advanced disease favored a higher degree of fatigue. However, fatigue remained the major complaint also in polycythemia vera (84.9%) and essential thrombocythemia (72.4%); these figures were significantly higher than those of published controls (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study identifies fatigue as the major contributor to poor quality of life in MPD, provides baseline information on constitutional symptoms, and underscores the need for the incorporation of quality of life assessment in clinical trials.