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Comorbidity, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • Hematology and Oncology (GR Williams, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this study is to describe the pathology, impact of comorbidities, functional limitations, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) related to treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older adults.

Recent Findings

AML is a rare aggressive hematologic disease that occurs most often in older adults. The prognosis for older patients with AML is markedly worse due to genetic mutations and patient characteristics such as comorbidities and functional limitations. Patient characteristics may influence treatment decisions, as well as impact symptoms, functional ability, health-related outcomes, and QOL.

Summary

As the population continues to age, the number of people diagnosed with AML is expected to increase. Better management of comorbidities is imperative to improving QOL and other treatment-related outcomes. Prospective, longitudinal, and multi-site studies are warranted to further understand the interaction between these characteristics on symptoms, outcomes, and QOL.

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Funding

This work is supported by a NCI 5K12CA120780-07 (Bryant).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, 46202,, USA

    Susan Storey

  2. School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Tamryn Fowler Gray

  3. School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 401 Carrington Hall, No. 7460, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Ashley Leak Bryant

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  1. Susan Storey
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  2. Tamryn Fowler Gray
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  3. Ashley Leak Bryant
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Correspondence to Ashley Leak Bryant.

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Susan Storey, Tamryn Gray, and Ashley Leak Bryant declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Hematology and Oncology

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Storey, S., Gray, T.F. & Bryant, A.L. Comorbidity, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Geri Rep 6, 247–254 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-017-0227-8

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