Quality of life considerations and management in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

ABSTRACT

Introduction

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) and functional status of patients with MDS.

Areas Covered

We reviewed the literature published in PUBMED over the past 30 years and searched for keywords such as ‘quality of life’ and ‘myelodysplastic syndromes’. By observing the influence of their symptoms, the possibility of improving patients’ QOL was considered by improving these related factors. Concurrently, the effects of related clinical treatments based on the unique disease characteristics of MDS on the patients’ QOL were examined, and lifestyle factors were considered in clinical practice, providing an important path to improve the QOL and functional status of patients with MDS.

Expert Opinion

This review summarized several areas that can improve the quality of survival of MDS patients and discusses them in depth. Although the clinical benefits may be minimal, we still hope to improve patients’ daily life outcomes and enhance their quality of life at minimal cost. Also, we hope more researchers will focus on this area in the future to find more factors that may exist to supplement the limitations of these understanding and thinking, and to provide assistance in clinical work.

KEYWORDS:

• Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
• quality of life (QOL)
• sleep
• physical exercise
• diet
• lifestyle
• psychology
• clinical treatment

Article highlights

• This article focuses on the considerations and management of the quality of life in MDS patients.

• In the treatment of patients with MDS, monitoring sleep and improving sleep quality are of great benefit in improving the patients’ quality of life.

• Exercise therapy can only improve some of the symptoms of patients, bring patients a better state of life and mentality.

• A healthy diet can make a big difference in patients’ prognosis.

• In the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with MDS, psychological support treatment is also a serious concern.

• For MDS patients with different risk levels, there is still a need to optimize their treatment to improve their quality of life.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project [grant no. 81900131], Tianjin Municipal Natural Science Foundation [grant no. 18JCQNJC80400], Tianjin Education Commission Research Project [grant no. 2018KJ043], Tianjin Education Commission Research Project [grant no. 2018KJ045], Medjaden Academy and Research Foundation for Young Scientists [grant no. MJR20221011], the Youth Project of Tianjin Health and Wellness Commission [grant no. TJWJ2021QN001], Tianjin Science and Technology Planning Project [grant no. 20YFZCSY00060],Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(Specialty) Construction Project and Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(Speciality) Construction Project (grant no. TJYXZDXK-028A).