Quality of life in young patients with chronic myelocytic leukaemia during intensive treatment including interferon.

The aim of this study was to evaluate to what extent the quality of life (QOL) of young patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) was affected by treatment with interferon (IF) and intensive chemotherapy. In a main study performed by The Swedish CML Group, aiming at reduction of the malignant pH+ cell clone by treatment with hydroxyurea and IF followed by ABMT, QOL was evaluated with VAS scales and the Life Ingredient Profile in 44% of the patients. The intensive treatment did not lead to intolerable suffering or protracted reduction in QOL. However, 80% of the patients were on sick leave during the first year of treatment.