Impact of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on the Quality of Life of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

The present study aimed at assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study is part of a pioneering research protocol which tests the applicability of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a new therapeutic approach to DM1. The study was conducted on 14 patients admitted to the ward of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit of a university hospital during the period from October 2006 to December 2007. The patients were evaluated at admission and on the occasion of the ambulatory return visit 100 days after transplantation. They answered the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire and the data were analyzed according to literature recommendations. The results showed that 100 days after transplantation the value of the patients' quality of life was higher compared to the pre-HSCT value, with significant differences in the Physical Domains (Role Limitations due to Physical Problems) (p = .009), Vitality (p = .02) and Mental Health (p = .04), demonstrating significant appreciation of those domains after the procedure. The results indicate an improvement in HRQoL after HSCT. The SF-36 proved to be a useful instrument for the assessment of quality of life in patients with DM1 submitted to HSCT.