Imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia: patient-reported side effects and their influence on quality of life

To evaluate side effects of Imatinib by patients of chronic myeloid leukemia and their influence on quality of life. Study Design: Descriptive & analytic study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at department of oncology CMH Rawalpindi, from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015. Material and Methods: The study was carried out at department of oncology CMH Rawalpindi from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015. Patients who had been using Imatinib orally for at least 6 months participated in the study. Patients under 18 years of age were excluded from the study. A questionnaire was developed to record adverse effects. This questionnaire included demographic details and quality of life issues like effects on their mood, daily life activities, work, walking and relationships. Results: Ninety two patients participated in the study. Mean age of the participants was 42.05 years (range 22 to 68 years), 52% were males. Among the study population eighty-seven percent had suffered from at least one adverse reaction. The most commonly complained adverse events were muscle cramps (67 out of 92, 72.8%); fatigue (58 out of 92 63.04%), gastro intestinal upset (44 out of 92 47.82%) and skin rashes (30 out of 92 32.60%). More than half of the patients felt that the adverse effect had a negative influence on their daily quality of life. Conclusion: Adverse drug effects were common among CML patients receiving Imatinib therapy. These adverse drug reactions had negative impact on patients' daily life. (author)