The relationship between pain, fatigue, sleep disorders and quality of life in adult patients with acute leukaemia: During the first year after diagnosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain, fatigue, sleep disorders and quality of life and assess the most powerful predictor of quality of life in patients with acute leukaemia. In this cross-sectional multicentre study, 406 patients were recruited. Data were collected using the Iranian Short-Form 36-item Health Survey, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain and Fatigue Intensity. It was found that pain and fatigue had direct relationship with sleep disorders. Statistically significant relationships were reported between pain, fatigue, sleep disorders and QoL. Also, a statistically significant relationship was found between pain and QoL (p < .001). Pain, fatigue and sleep disorders in total had the predictive power for quality of life (R2  = 36%). The most powerful predictor of quality of life was pain. It is suggested that healthcare professionals note the importance of patients' symptoms in clinical investigations and take appropriate measures for their management. The assessment of pain as the most powerful predictor of quality of life can be considered a basis for the improvement of quality of life, fatigue and sleep quality in patients with acute leukaemia.