ABSTRACT

Rationale and Objectives

Individuals with myeloproliferative neoplasia have blood cell parameters representing abnormal proliferation of the cell line/lines affected. Considering the implication of symptom burden scores to treatment response and disease progression, with the same implication among changes in blood cell parameters, a question of correlation between the two variables becomes inevitable. This study aims to determine the correlation of controlled blood counts, severity of symptoms and quality of life of individuals with MPN.

Research Design and methodology

This is cross sectional analytical study and a sub-study from the Filipino MPN- QOL multicenter study. Secondary data obtained from the parent study will be used as primary data of this sub-study. Comparative analyses were conducted using Chi- Square Test of Homogeneity or Fisher’s Exact Test. Association analysis used Cramer’s V coefficient.

Results and Discussion

Data in this study has shown 52.65 years old as the average age of participants. Most participants had mild symptom burden at 60.53%. The most common symptom being fatigue. Comparative analysis showed the absence of identified statistical difference in the overall symptom burden severity among the 3 types of myeloproliferative neoplasia. In this study, there was no statistically significant correlation between the severity of symptom burden or quality of life, and the degree of blood count control among the 3 types of myeloproliferative neoplasia.

Conclusion

In practice, controlling hematologic parameters has been a goal to achieve among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasia. This study suggests symptom control and quality of life is not necessarily affected by blood count control.

Keywords 
myeloproliferative neoplasia, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis, blood count control, symptom burden, quality of life