AML is an incredibly tough disease to fight. Intensive chemotherapy and isolating hospitalizations can cause substantial physical and psychological symptoms. A study published in the March issue of Cancer assessed newly treated AML patients for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and identified the most common risk factors for why PTSD occurred.1
The study was a secondary analysis of data from 160 patients with high-risk AML who were enrolled in a supportive trial. The PTSD Checklist‐Civilian Version was used to assess PTSD symptoms 1 month after AML diagnosis. Two questionnaires were also used to assess coping skills and quality of life (QOL).
The researchers found that 28% of the patients reported PTSD symptoms, describing high rates of intrusion, avoidance, and hypervigilance. This is higher than what research has found among other cancers. A study from 2017 that included all types of cancer reported that 20% of patients experienced PTSD within months of their diagnosis.2
The researchers concluded that a large proportion of patients with AML report significant PTSD symptoms 1 month after initiating intensive chemotherapy. Patients who began treatment with a lower quality of life, who did not have established coping mechanisms and who exhibited a decline in their quality of life throughout chemotherapy had a higher risk of developing PTSD.
This evidence highlights the need for supportive therapies for patients with AML during the induction chemotherapy period to reduce the likelihood of the development of PTSD. In order to fully overcome AML, mental health must be made a priority. Patients with AML need to be offered psychological support services early on in their treatment as well as ongoing follow-up. Mental well-being is just as important as physical health!
If you are going through treatment for AML and are looking to reduce your risk of PTSD, you have several options to consider:
References:
AML is an incredibly tough disease to fight. Intensive chemotherapy and isolating hospitalizations can cause substantial physical and psychological symptoms. A study published in the March issue of Cancer assessed newly treated AML patients for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and identified the most common risk factors for why PTSD occurred.1
The study was a secondary analysis of data from 160 patients with high-risk AML who were enrolled in a supportive trial. The PTSD Checklist‐Civilian Version was used to assess PTSD symptoms 1 month after AML diagnosis. Two questionnaires were also used to assess coping skills and quality of life (QOL).
The researchers found that 28% of the patients reported PTSD symptoms, describing high rates of intrusion, avoidance, and hypervigilance. This is higher than what research has found among other cancers. A study from 2017 that included all types of cancer reported that 20% of patients experienced PTSD within months of their diagnosis.2
The researchers concluded that a large proportion of patients with AML report significant PTSD symptoms 1 month after initiating intensive chemotherapy. Patients who began treatment with a lower quality of life, who did not have established coping mechanisms and who exhibited a decline in their quality of life throughout chemotherapy had a higher risk of developing PTSD.
This evidence highlights the need for supportive therapies for patients with AML during the induction chemotherapy period to reduce the likelihood of the development of PTSD. In order to fully overcome AML, mental health must be made a priority. Patients with AML need to be offered psychological support services early on in their treatment as well as ongoing follow-up. Mental well-being is just as important as physical health!
If you are going through treatment for AML and are looking to reduce your risk of PTSD, you have several options to consider:
References:
about the author
Katie Braswell
Katie joined HealthTree as the Community Director for AML in 2021. She is a registered dietitian who previously worked at the VA hospital in Dallas, Texas where she coached veterans with blood cancer on how to use nutrition to improve their treatment outcomes and minimize cancer-related side effects. Katie is passionate about health education and patient empowerment. In her spare time, she loves to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen, spend time running outdoors and travel to new places.
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