Longitudinal assessment of quality of life in indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas managed with active surveillance

Abstract

There are limited data describing the impact of active surveillance on longitudinal health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). A cohort of untreated indolent NHL patients completed FACT-LYM questionnaires at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months after diagnosis. Longitudinal FACT-LYM scores were analyzed by ANOVA and generalized linear mixed models. Indolent NHL scores were compared to norm general population scores. A total of 52 patients were identified, of which 46 (88%) remained on active surveillance at 36 months. There was no significant change in any of the FACT-LYM scores over 36 months. As compared to the general population, indolent NHL patients had higher, clinically meaningful scores in physical, functional, and social well-being, but not emotional well-being. Patients with indolent NHL on active surveillance have globally preserved HRQoL for up to 3 years after diagnosis. Emotional well-being continues to be an unmet need during active surveillance.

Keywords:

• Patient-reported outcomes
• quality of life
• non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• active surveillance

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Keith and Susan Hoogland for their philanthropic support of the Hoogland Lymphoma Biobank.

Author contributions

Ajay Major: conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing – original draft; Rachel Wright: data curation, project administration; Fay Hlubocky: writing – review and editing; Sonali M. Smith: writing – review and editing; Micah T. Prochaska: methodology, formal analysis, writing – review and editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

National Institutes of Health grant page for this study: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10452572.