400 Section - Quality of Life and Fatigue in the Late Phase After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Objectives : Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for numerous hematologic disorders, yet long-term survivors often experience persistent physical and psychological burdens. While early post-transplant quality of life (QoL) and fatigue have been studied, less is known about their long-term trajectories beyond the first year. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), prolonged immunosuppression, and metabolic or functional changes may significantly affect both QoL and fatigue levels. This study aimed to evaluate QoL and fatigue at 12, 18, and 24 months after allo-HSCT and to assess the influence of gender, age, GVHD status, hospitalization length, and body weight changes on patient well-being.

Design: A total of 28 allo-HSCT recipients were included in this late-phase follow-up. QoL was assessed using the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT) questionnaire at 12, 18, and 24 months post-transplant. Fatigue was evaluated using the validated FACIT-Fatigue and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) questionnaires at the same time points. Patients completed all questionnaires independently. Statistical analyses examined variations in QoL and fatigue according to demographic and clinical variables, including gender, age, GVHD presence, duration of hospitalization, and body weight changes.

Results: Clear differences in late-phase QoL and fatigue were observed across groups. Patients with GVHD demonstrated substantially lower QoL and significantly higher fatigue scores at all assessed time points compared with those without GVHD. Longer hospitalization and marked weight loss were associated with poorer QoL and increased fatigue. Gender and age also contributed to variability in outcomes, with some groups experiencing slower improvements in emotional, functional, and fatigue-related domains.

Conclusion: Two years after allo-HSCT, many patients continue to experience diminished QoL and elevated fatigue. GVHD, hospitalization burden, and persistent weight changes exert a meaningful negative influence on both outcomes, while demographic factors further shape long-term recovery patterns.