Graduation Year

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Granting Department

Nursing

Major Professor

Susan C. McMillan

Keywords

Anxiety, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue, Quality of Life, Spiritual well-being

Abstract

Abstract

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare, incurable, chronic disease accounting for approximately 3% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnoses every year. Patients with CTCL have skin lesions that can vary in severity putting patients at risk for developing symptoms that may impair their quality of life (QOL). The disease burden can lead to increased depressive symptoms, fatigue distress, and anxiety that the disease may be worsening. Seventy-five participants agreed to take part in an exploratory, prospective study to evaluate depressive symptoms, anxiety, fatigue distress, and spirituality as predictors of QOL in CTCL patients. Demographic variables including stage of disease, ethnicity, age, gender, marital status, level of education, and time since diagnosis, were also included in the analyses to assess for relationships. Bivariate correlations, t-tests, and regression analyses were conducted to assess for relationships among the predictor variables and QOL. The analyses revealed that the proposed model explained 64% of the variance, and depressive symptoms (t= -2.4, p= 0.020) and stage of disease (t= -3.0, p= 0.004) significantly predicted the QOL of CTCL patients. Evaluating for predictors that influence the QOL helps us to better understand the needs of the patients afflicted with CTCL. The importance of studying the QOL of the CTCL patients lies in the fact that nurses can assist in helping patients alleviate some of the symptoms they experience, thereby improving their QOL. Further study is warranted in developing interventions to assist in the preservation of QOL.

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