Symptom prevalence and physiologic biomarkers among adolescents using a mobile phone intervention following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine symptom reports and physiologic parameters in adolescents using the Eating After Transplant (EAT!) intervention during recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). DESIGN Repeated measures design. SETTING HSCT service at a pediatric teaching institution in the southern United States. SAMPLE 16 adolescents recovering from a first-time allogeneic HSCT. METHODS Use of EAT! was monitored electronically, symptom reports were obtained from a questionnaire, and physiologic parameters were obtained from the medical record at HSCT hospital discharge and 20, 40, and 60 days postdischarge. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES EAT! use, symptom prevalence, symptom-related distress, and physiologic parameters including weight, body mass index (BMI), pre-albumin, and albumin. FINDINGS Symptom prevalence was highest at hospital discharge and steadily declined; however, mean symptom distress scores remained stable. Mean weight and BMI significantly declined during the first 60 days postdischarge; pre-albumin and albumin markers were unchanged. No correlation was noted among use of EAT! and any research variables. CONCLUSIONS The most frequent symptoms were not always the most distressing symptoms. Weight and BMI significantly declined during HSCT recovery. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses should assess symptom frequency and distress to fully understand patients' symptom experiences. Nurses should monitor weight and BMI throughout HSCT recovery.