Quality of life of patients with severe chronic neutropenia receiving long-term treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of long-term granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) treatment on quality of life of patients with congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia. STUDY DESIGN, INTERVENTION, AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-one patients receiving daily subcutaneous GCSF responded to retrospective questions about disease-related symptoms and physical, psychological, and social functioning before and with GCSF therapy.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvement occurred in energy, emotional reactions, social isolation, functional ability, life satisfaction, decreased hospital admissions, and school attendance.

CONCLUSION

GCSF greatly improves quality of life in patients with severe chronic neutropenia.