Psychological functioning and quality of life in patients with mastocytosis: A cross-sectional study

Background: Psychological symptoms appear to be frequent among patients with mastocytosis and can significantly affect patient quality of life. However, it remains unclear whether and to which extent this may be the case. Objective: To investigate he presence and type of psychological symptoms and quality of life in patients with mastocytosis. Methods: In this cross-sectional cohort study of adult patients with mastocytosis, all patients completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the 90-item Symptom Checklist (SCL-90). Results were compared with those of a healthy groups of patients with other diseases (chronic pain and cancer) and healthy populations. Results: Fifty patients were included in the study. Seventy percent had indolent systemic mastocytosis. Patients with mastocytosis scored significantly worse than a healthy norm group on the total SCL-90 and more specifically on the dimensions of depression, somatization, sleeping problems, and inadequacy of acting and thinking. Strikingly, patients with mastocytosis scored similarly to patients with cancer on the SF-36 subdomains of general health perception and vitality. However, no significant difference in the mental health subdomain of the SF-36 was found when compared with a healthy group. Conclusion: In addition to the presence of psychological symptoms, the physical symptoms that are associated with mastocytosis also have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients with this disease. Therefore, correct treatment through symptom control and psychological counseling is necessary. Trial registration: EudraCT Identifier 2015-004604-37.

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