The aim of this study was to assess the physical performance (Karnofsky or Lansky's Performance Scale), as well as the social/familial, emotional, functional and cancer treatment by bone marrow transplant (FACT-BMT battery). Subjects were all adolescents (13 to 20 years of age) who underwent a transplant at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (Serviço de Transplante de Medula Óssea) of the University Hospital (Hospital de Clínicas) of Universidade Federal do Paraná, (STMO-HC-UFPR) in the calendar year (January to December) of 1999. The initial sample consisted of thirteen patients (seven male, six female), of whom four had a previous diagnosis of a neoplastic condition and nine of a non-neoplastic condition. Allografts were used in all cases. The study instruments and scales were applied twice: firstly, in the month prior to the procedure and secondly, on the hundredth day afterwards. Three patients died before the second assessment was carried out. Therefore, only 10 patients completed the study and were the subject of the full analysis. Results show that although 4/10 of the patients had an improved physical performance as shown by the Karnofsky and Lansky's Performance Scale, 9/10 reported difficulties to resume day-to-day activities and chores (professional, educational and homework), as shown by the FACT-BMT battery. In other domains assessed, results showed variations between the pre and post procedures but without reaching statistical significance. It could be concluded that the therapeutic intervention in itself may affect the quality of life of the subjects. It has to be said, however, that this study was carried out within the frame of continuous medical treatment and this may have acted as a confounder. Further long-term longitudinal studies are, therefore, required to improve our understanding of these issues.
Bone marrow transplantation; quality of life
