Functional ability and quality of life of patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

In recent years, increasing attention has focused on the quality of life of long-term survivors of bone marrow transplantation. Most survivors appear to have good health and high levels of functional capacity, exhibit little psychological distress and achieve social adaptation and resumption of valued roles. In addition, they conduct educational and employment pursuits and experience satisfaction with their lives at levels comparable to the general population. However, some survivors, especially those with chronic graft-versus-host disease, report low levels of these parameters. Challenges for future studies are to identify the various changes that occur over time, the tempo at which they occur, how the changes interact, and what parameters predict for positive and adverse outcomes. Such investigations will provide the basis of strategies to optimize good outcomes.