Mayo Clinic Finds Web Survey Will Help Pinpoint Impact on Quality of Life From Fatigue Caused by Myeloproliferative Disorders

Monday, December 12, 2005

ROCHESTER, Minn. — In the first ever Web-based survey to collect objective data on the impact of myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) — essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV) and myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) — on a patient's quality of life, Mayo Clinic researchers have gathered information that will lead to a clinical trial and potential relief for patients who suffer from MPD-induced fatigue. Mayo hematologist and lead researcher Ruben Mesa, M.D., presented these findings Sunday at the 2005 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Ga.

"Fatigue is an extremely common problem in patients with MPDs," says Dr. Mesa. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve their quality of life, and alleviating fatigue would be a big step forward."

MPDs are a closely-related group of hematological malignancies in which the bone marrow cells that produce the body's blood cells develop and function abnormally. The disorders are progressive blood cancers that can strike anyone at any age, although MMM, the most common of the three, typically is seen in individuals over age 60. MPDs are chronic diseases for which there is no known cure. Mayo Clinic is a leader in treatment and research and hosts a biannual conference on MPDs.

The survey gathered significant data relating to physical symptoms and lifestyle restrictions including disability related to MPDs, fatigue-restricted activity levels, and other coexisting medical conditions. Fatigue was more of a burden in ET, but nearly all MPD patients reported fatigue even without other disease symptoms. Nearly nine of 10 said fatigue was the major obstacle to exercise, which has been proven to decrease fatigue in other cancer patients.

"Ideally we will find a way to help MPD patients get beyond their fatigue and be able to exercise," says Dr. Mesa. "Exercise would help them feel better and be less tired."

A total of 830 MPD patients from around the world participated in the survey, which gathered responses for a median period of five years. The group's average age was 56, with a slightly larger majority (60.8 percent) of male participants. Self-reported diagnoses were fairly evenly distributed among the three types of MPDs, with PV at 33 percent, ET at 27 percent and MMM at 40 percent. Dr. Mesa's research team members included Mayo Clinic's John Camoriano, M.D.; Lawrence Solberg Jr., M.D., Ph.D.; Sunni Barnes, Ph.D.; Jeff Sloan, Ph.D.; Pamela Atherton; Angelina Tan; and Ayalew Tefferi, M.D. External collaborators included researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.; and The University of Texas MD Anderson, Houston.
For more information on the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders at Mayo Clinic visit: www.mayoclinic.org/myelofibrosis/ and www.mayoclinic.org/thrombocythemia.

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