Table 8 Expert-reported symptoms of myelofibrosis
From: Development of a symptom assessment in patients with myelofibrosis: qualitative study findings
Symptoms | Descriptiona | Experienced pre and/or post ruxolitinib treatment failure | Frequency of expert report (N = 4) n (%)b |
|---|---|---|---|
Fatigue | Lack of energy, feeling of weakness and lethargy | Pre | 4 (100%) |
Post | 4 (100%) | ||
Night sweats | Excessive sweating at night requiring a change of clothing and/or beddings | Pre | 4 (100%) |
Post | 4 (100%) | ||
Weight loss | Unintentional loss of weight | Pre | 4 (100%) |
Post | 4 (100%) | ||
Abdominal pain | Pain associated with an enlarged spleen | Pre | 4 (100%) |
Post | 3 (75%) | ||
Fever | Low grade fever, feelings of hotness that may or may not be accompanied by sweating. A reoccurrence of fever after receiving ruxolitinib treatment could signal treatment failure or a true infection/progression of disease | Pre | 3 (75%) |
Post | 3 (75%) | ||
Bone pain | Constant pain experienced all over the body. May respond to ruxolitinib treatment but not completely | Pre | 3 (75%) |
Post | 2 (50%) | ||
Constipation | Bowel movement once every 3 days characterized by hard stools or straining to go to the bathroom. It could be associated with the enlarged spleen (enlarged spleen blocking patients’ bowels). It is not a common MF symptom | Pre | 3 (75%) |
Post | 2 (50%) | ||
Poor appetite | Lack of feeling of hunger or not wanting to eat. It is typically associated with early satiety and enlarged spleen | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Post | 2 (50%) | ||
Early satiety | Feeling full fast after eating a meal. It could be associated with the enlarged spleen | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Post | 2 (50%) | ||
Abdominal discomfort | Associated with the enlarged spleen | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Diarrhea | Loose bowel movements or loose stools. | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Itching | It is also known as pruritus and can occur all over the body or certain parts of the body. It can occur when a patient comes in contact with a trigger (e.g., water) | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Shortness of breath | Needing to catch one’s breath. It can occur at rest or with exertion | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Abdominal fullness | Excess gas build up in the intestinesc | Pre | 1 (25%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Bleeding | Break in blood vessels such as gastrointestinal, mucosal, and hemorrhoidal bleeding, and nose bleeds. It typically occurs externally. | Pre | 1 (25%) |
Post | 2 (50%) | ||
Easy bruising | Bruising (blue-like appearance) under the skin due to minor trauma | Pre | 1 (25%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Lightheadedness | Feeling of dizziness | Pre | 1 (25%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Nausea | Feeling an urge to vomit.c It could be as a result of eating specific kinds of food or the enlarged spleen | Pre | 1 (25%) |
Post | 1 (25%) | ||
Reflux | Leaking of contents (food or liquid) backwards from the stomach into the esophagusc | Pre | 1 (25%) |
Sweating | Release of liquid from the body’s sweat glands. Patients may experience excessive sweating due to MFc | Pre | 2 (50%) |
Headaches | An ache or pain in the head | Pre | 1 (25%) |
 Impotent | Loss of sexual function | Pre | 1 (25%) |
 Vomiting | Forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouthc | Pre | 1 (25%) |