Assessing Existential Distress and Quality of Life in Allo-HSCT Patients and their Informal Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Authors

Berenike Schoerger, Sukhvir Kaur, Anne Pralong, Alinda Reimer, Carolin Schepers, Merle Ley, Lisa Pusch, Jithmi Weliwitage, Martin Hellmich, Johann Ahn, Roland Schroers, Uwe Platzbecker, Raymond Voltz, Michael Hallek, Sigrun Vehling, Georg-Nikolaus Franke, Marco Herling, Steffen T Simon, Udo Holtick

Published in

Oncology research and treatment. Pages 1. Oct 27, 2026. Epub Oct 27, 2026.

Abstract

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a common treatment for malignant haematological diseases but carries significant morbidity and mortality. This study examines existential distress and quality of life (QoL) among patients receiving allo-HSCT and their informal caregivers.
A multi-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients and informal caregivers at a single assessment point either before, during, or up to 100 days after allo-HSCT using standardised questionnaires to assess existential and quality of life (QoL) among patients.
There were 61 patients (mean age 55.1 (years) ±13.5) and 31 informal caregivers (mean age 55 (years) ±12.5). Patients reported moderate treatment and cancer related distress (CTXD 24.8±12.0), death-related distress (DADDS-G 14.4±8.3), demoralisation (DS II 7.6±5.4) and QoL (FACT-BMT 88.5±22.7), with mild levels of anxiety (GAD-7 5.4±4) and depression (PHQ-9 7.9±4.6). IC experienced moderate burden (ZBI-7 8.5±5.9) and family-related QoL (FROM-16 13.9±5.9). No significant differences were found across treatment time points, age or disease type. Female patients reported higher levels of depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) compared with male patients.
This study illustrates the complex and multifaceted nature of existential distress and quality of life in allo-HSCT patients and their informal caregivers, underscoring the importance of further research to better understand and address their psychosocial needs including consideration of sex-specific differences in emotional distress.

PMID:
42945441
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 28 Oct 2026.

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