Transfusions Have Major Impact on Quality of Life for Patients With MF

Patients with myelofibrosis (MF) experience significant burdens from anemia and transfusions, which negatively affect daily activities, emotional well-being, and physical health, as shown by analysis of a patient self-report survey. Reductions in the frequency of transfusions and alleviation of anemia symptoms were identified as interventional priorities for improving quality of life.

Anemia is a frequent effect of MF that can worsen quality of life due to its symptoms and accompanying treatments. Patients with MF and anemia experience fatigue, require blood transfusions, and have an overall worse prognosis than patients with MF alone. Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD, MA, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina, and colleagues used an online self-report survey to investigate the impact of anemia on the quality of life of patients with MF.¹

The investigators surveyed 155 patients with symptomatic MF with and without anemia of all transfusion-dependence statuses from six countries who had previously received Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Survey questions and answers were derived from a targeted literature review.

Most patients with anemia (n=133) and patients without anemia initially (n=19) reported that anemia-related symptoms negatively affected their daily activities, exercise, ability to think, and emotional well-being. Similarly, 81% of patients with anemia and 63% of those without anemia felt that relieving anemia was “extremely” or “quite a bit” important in their overall treatment.

Transfusions were experienced as “extremely” or “quite a bit” bothersome by most (60%) patients, regardless of whether they had ever received one. Transfusion-dependent patients (receiving transfusions at least once every three months) indicated that their top concerns were reducing stress caused by emotional issues, sleep disturbances, health insurance, and daily activities. Overwhelmingly, 80% of patients thought that reducing transfusions to once every 16 weeks was “extremely” or “quite a bit” important.

Overall, perceived anemia symptom burden, the bothersome nature of transfusions, and their impact on daily life were central to most patients. “Our findings highlight the importance of treatment options that can help achieve and maintain transfusion independence for MF patients,” concluded Dr. LeBlanc.

Reference

1. LeBlanc TW, Collacott H, García Gutiérrez V Sr, et al. Experienced or perceived burdens and associated quality of life impacts of anemia and transfusion dependence in myelofibrosis: a patient self-report survey analysis. Abstract #3815. Presented at the American Association of Hematology Annual Meeting; December 7-10, 2024; San Diego, California.