Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor offers a unique therapy to reverse SCD. This mixed-methods study explores recipients' perception of HSCT success, personal life goals, and associated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) more than 1 year after HSCT. Recipients completed the Short Form-36, version 1 (SF-36v1) HRQOL survey followed by a 60- to 90-min face-to-face or telephone audio-recorded interview. Eleven of 15 eligible recipients participated in the study. Although the eight HRQOL subscale scores varied, the three recipients with a successful HSCT and the highest scores were pursuing their personal life goals. The four with avascular necrosis (AVN) had lower scores related to AVN limitations, yet they were pursuing their personal goals. The two reporting a failed HSCT had reverted back to having SCD, and their subscale scores were among the lowest. Our results show that HSCT success, ability to pursue goals, and HRQOL align in predictable ways.
Keywords: health-related quality of life; mixed methods; personal life goals; sickle cell disease; stem cell transplantation.