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Among other malignant diseases, acute leukemia appears to directly threaten life due to the remarkably rapid course of illness. Although psychosocial issues related to cancer have been of a great interest, little research has been conducted on psychological characteristics of adult patients suffering from acute leukemia and their families. The present study aimed to evaluate state and trait anxiety in acute leukemia patients and their families. 111 subjects participated voluntarily, including 41 patients, hospitalized at the Hematology Department of the Ioannina University Hospital during the year 2001, and 70 patients' first-degree relatives. The instrument adopted was the State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Patients and their relatives were asked to complete this self-report questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire, while being at wards. Results showed that relatives reported significantly greater state anxiety (P= .014). Despite the possible limitations of the present study, it could be suggested that family attitude towards a life threatening disease as well as the psychosocial needs related to such a stressful situation should be reconsidered. In order to investigate the effect of anxiety on acute leukemia, a re-evaluation of the patients and their relatives examined should be attempted later in the course of illness. Family involvement in the course of a malignant disease as well as coping with such a crisis is considered as an important area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]