Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): A systematic review (SR).

Abstract

234 Background: AlthoughHL is highly curable with well-established treatment regimens, the impact on patients' HRQL from diagnosis through survivorship is unclear. This SR aimed to: (1) describe the literature on HRQL in HL, (2) assess the quality of these studies and (3) identify gaps for future research. Methods: We performed a PRISMA-guided SR on HRQL in HL patients. Identified articles were double-screened and data extracted; quality was evaluated using a 6-point scale adapted from published HRQL SR. Results: Sixty-two articles published between 1986- 2014 met inclusion criteria. These included 50 (81%) cross-sectional studies and 12 (19%) longitudinal studies of which three were embedded in randomized trials (RTC). Only two of the RCTs followed patients from diagnosis into survivorship; three additional longitudinal studies began assessments at diagnosis. The majority (75%) of longitudinal studies were performed over the last decade. The sample size of HL patients varied considerably with only five (41%) longitudinal studies including >50 patients. On average, patients in the cross sectional studies were 10-plus years off treatment. Multidimensional HRQL was assessed in 40 studies, single HRQL domains in 21 studies, and symptoms, including fatigue, in 24 studies. Quality varied by study design. Conclusions: The number and quality of studies on HRQL in HL have increased over time. To capture HRQL trajectory from diagnosis through survivorship, we recommend that future research include prospective, longitudinal randomized design across treatment and time. [Table: see text]