Quality of life and symptoms in acute myeloid leukaemia with early palliative care: real-world observational study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To describe longitudinal changes in quality of life (QOL) and symptoms among patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) receiving real-world early palliative care (EPC) during the first year after diagnosis. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled consecutive adults with AML followed in an outpatient EPC clinic. QOL and symptoms were assessed monthly using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu), the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scores were analysed through joint modelling, integrating longitudinal and survival data, and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients contributed 169 FACT-Leu, 151 ESAS and 111 HADS questionnaires. From baseline, median FACT-Leu scores improved from 108.7 to 135.7 at 4 months and remained stable through 8 and 12 months (p≤0.011), while ESAS scores decreased from 25.2 to 5.7 by 4 months and remained low through 12 months (p<0.001), indicating sustained symptom improvement. HADS scores showed no statistically significant changes, although a modest anxiety improvement was noted. Trajectories remained consistent across all sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In AML patients receiving EPC in a real-world outpatient setting, QOL and symptom burden showed sustained improvement over time. These descriptive findings highlight the potential effectiveness and clinical relevance of EPC in routine AML care and provide real-world reference data for future controlled studies.
Source: BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
Authors: Leonardo Potenza, Davide Giusti, Eleonora Borelli, Elisabetta Colaci, Francesco Morandi, Riccardo Cuoghi Costantini, Cinzia Del Giovane, Fabio Forghieri, Monica Morselli, Francesca Bettelli, Valeria Pioli, Angela Cuoghi, Paola Bresciani, Andrea Messerotti, Andrea Gilioli, Roberto Marasca, Luca Cassanelli, Angelica Parisotto, Federica Cretì, Claudia Mucciarini, Sarah Bigi, Roberto D’Amico, Fabio Efficace, Oreofe Odejide, Eduardo Bruera, Camilla Zimmermann, Mario Luppi, Elena Bandieri
Institutions: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Gimema Onlus, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7140217565