Quality of life in Irish high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.

Abstract

e20597 Background: The incidence and cure rates of aggressive NHL are increasing in Ireland. No data is available on QoL in the lymphoma survivor population who are exposed to multiagent chemotherapy and often radiotherapy. Methods: High grade NHL survivors (known to be disease free) from 2 hospitals were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study by completing the validated Lymphoma specific Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-Lym) questionnaire, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (NCCN-FACT) Lymphoma Symptom Index-18 (FLymSI-18). Results: Of 87 questionnaires, 48 were completed and returned by NHL survivors (55.2% response rate). Linear regression analysis showed a mean global FACT-Lym QOL score of 146 (range 0-168). Adjustment of data for time since diagnosis compared QoL across these groups. Linear regression studies found a drop in QOL scores in the 4-5year category, before again increasing in the 5+ year category, which was statistically significant across emotional and functional wellbeing scales as well as global FACT-G and FACT-Lym scores. Higher emotional and physical function was seen compared to a large previously reported US cohort (Smith, S Cancer 2009) Conclusions: Significant differences in QOL exist across time since diagnosis in NHL survivors. Some physical symptoms declined over time. We speculate that anxiety prior to the 5 year