Self-rated health is an independent predictor of subsequent late mortality after blood or marrow transplantation: A Blood or Marrow Transplant Survivor Study report

Background

The prevalence of suboptimal self-rated health (SRH) and its association with subsequent all-cause and cause-specific mortality after blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) were examined.

Methods

Study participants were drawn from the multicenter Blood or Marrow Transplant Survivor Study, and included patients who were transplanted between 1974 and 2014 and had survived ≥2 years after BMT. Participants (aged ≥18 years) completed a survey at a median of 9 years from BMT, and were followed for a median of 5.6 years after survey completion. Survivors provided information on sociodemographic factors, chronic health conditions, health behaviors, and SRH (a single-item measure rated as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor; excellent, very good, and good SRH were classified as good SRH, and fair and poor were classified as suboptimal SRH). The National Death Index Plus and Accurint databases and medical records provided vital status through December 2021.

Results

Of 3739 participants, 784 died after survey completion (21%). Overall, 879 BMT survivors (23.5%) reported suboptimal SRH. Pain, low socioeconomic status, psychological distress, lack of exercise, severe/life-threatening chronic health conditions, post-BMT relapse, obesity, smoking, and male sex were associated with suboptimal SRH. BMT survivors who reported suboptimal SRH had a 1.9-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–2.3), 1.8-fold increased risk of recurrence-related mortality (95% CI, 1.4–2.5), and 1.9-fold increased risk of non–recurrence-related mortality (95% CI, 1.4–2.4) compared to those who reported good SRH.

Conclusions

This single-item measure could help identify vulnerable subpopulations who could benefit from interventions to mitigate the risk for subsequent mortality.