Side effects of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.

Objectives: The study aims to check whether individual side effects of treatment with TKIs in patients suffering from CML may contribute to the occurrence of anxiety symptoms. In addition, it was decided to check whether there were any relationships between age, gender, duration of treatment, and the intensity of anxiety, divided by the occurrence of individual side effects.

Methods: The study involved 91 patients and was conducted at the Hematology Clinic of the University Hospital in Krakow. The following questionnaires were used: created by the author, David Goldberg Questionnaire GHQ-28, and the four-dimensional 4DSQ Questionnaire.

Results: The most frequently mentioned side effects of treatment were bone and joint pain, muscle cramps and pain, water retention, and fatigue. The mean duration of the disease was ten years. Our research showed that fatigue, nausea/indigestion, frequent infections, bone and joint pain, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite were the most common side effects of TKI treatment, which resulted in increased anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions: The work of doctors, psychologists, and pharmaceutical companies on reducing/alleviating side effects may in the future affect a better quality of life for these patients. Early detection of severe anxiety and taking appropriate steps can prevent the emergence of more significant disorders. In addition, several years of attempts to discontinue treatment with some TKIs (imatinib and nilotinib) in patients who achieve a profound molecular response may improve their mental condition.