Socio-medical factors and survival in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating socio-medical factors related to the socioeconomic difference in chronic myeloid leukaemia survival in Yorkshire and Humberside
IRAS ID
173262
Contact name
Ann Hewison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
A recent UK study has shown that people with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) living in more deprived areas have significantly worse survival than those living in more affluent areas. This is concerning in a disease where treatment (consisting of a simple daily tablet) is freely available to all. The study suggested that these differences may be due to patients missing doses of their medication and a large body of work exists showing a strong relationship between medication adherence and treatment response in CML. The wider literature notes several other factors effecting survival in cancer that are related to socioeconomic status, such as health behaviour and comorbidities. However, there is very little research investigating how medication adherence may be linked to these issues and survival differences in CML.
This study aims to explore the experience of living with CML and its treatment. It is set within the infrastructure of the Yorkshire and Humberside Haematology Network (YHHN-www.yhhn.org), which forms the core of the Haematology Malignancy Research Network (HMRN-www.hmrn.org), a population-based study registering all patients newly diagnosed with haematological malignancy in Yorkshire and Humberside. The proposed mixed methods study includes both qualitative interviews with adult patients and clinical staff across the YHHN area, and a patient questionnaire survey. Interviews will explore socio-medical factors impacting on survival and how these are managed. Findings will be used to develop a questionnaire that will be sent to all YHHN CML patients who have agreed we can contact them again for research purposes.
Study outputs include a series of recommendations that will be generated alongside practitioners, which will inform their practice and help them to support patients and minimise survival differences. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences, in patient newsletters, at site specific meetings, and on www.yhhn.org
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0016
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion