Gender differences in health-related quality of life, physical function and psychological status among patients in the early phase following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in quality of life (QOL), physical function and psychological status before and in the early phase after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods One hundred patients (66 men, 34 women) who underwent allo-HSCT between July 2007 and June 2011 at Hyogo College of Medicine Hospital were included in this study. Patients were evaluated for health-related QOL using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey; exercise capacity was measured with the 6-min walk test, hand grip strength and knee extensor strength. Fatigue and psychological status were measured by the Piper Fatigue Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, respectively. Results Women had significantly lower scores for physical function and general health on health-related QOL tests compared with men (p<0.01). No difference between genders was found in decline of physical function. In women, exercise capacity was strongly associated with QOL (p<0.01). In men, depression and anxiety were closely related to QOL (p<0.01). Conclusions Gender-appropriate rehabilitation in allo-HSCT patients is important. Women may need more endurance exercises and training for activities of daily life. Men may need rehabilitation including a psychological approach. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.