1873P - Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms and self-care behaviours: Preliminary data of a cross-sectional study

Background

Patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including myelofibrosis (MF), polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), should engage in self-care behaviours to improve their health. This study aims to preliminary assess self-care behaviours in MPN patients.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study has been conducted in 9 haematology centres in Italy since November 2021. The Italian Association of MPN Patients (AIPAMM) promoted this study. The Self-Care in MyeloProliferative Neoplasms Inventory (SC-MPNI), a 31-item questionnaire measuring self-care behaviours according to the Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness, was developed and tested for its content validity. MPN patients were asked to complete a paper-and-pencil questionnaire during their outpatient visit or at home.

Results

Preliminary data from 171 patients (54% male; mean age=58, SD=19) and 5 centres were analysed (45.6% of the expected sample). Participants were living with overt MF (n=51), prefibrotic MF (n=24), PV (n=48) or ET (n=44). Concerning self-care maintenance, the most frequent behaviour was attending all scheduled clinical appointments (M=5.9, SD=0.6), and the least used one was performing activities that improve mental and physical well-being (M=3.1, SD=1.7). Concerning self-care monitoring, the most frequent behaviour was getting blood tests as prescribed by the haematologist (M=5.9, SD=0.5), and the least used one was checking any measurement the healthcare providers recommend (M=4.7, SD=1.4). Concerning self-care management, the most frequent behaviour was accurately reporting symptoms to the healthcare providers during visits to get a comprehensive response (M=5.5, SD=0.9), and the least used one was asking for psychological support to overcome emotional problems (M=2.6, SD=1.5).

Conclusions

This study will contribute to assessing self-care behaviours in patients with MPN. Health professionals should support innovative interventions to promote self-care, which is crucial for MPN patients to reduce cardiovascular events and be medically fit to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.