Quality of life in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an international survey of 1482 patients.
Although a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can have a profound effect on the quality of life (QOL), few studies have objectively measured the QOL of CLL patients or compared it to the general population. We conducted an international, web-based survey of patients with CLL using standardized instruments with published population norms to evaluate fatigue and QOL. Co-morbid health conditions were assessed using the Charlson Co-Morbidity Index. Between June and October 2006, 1482 patients with CLL responded to the survey. The physical, social/family, functional, and overall QOL scores of CLL patients were similar to or better than published population norms. In contrast, the emotional well-being scores of CLL patients were dramatically lower than that of both the general population (P < 0.001) and patients with other types of cancer (P < 0.001). QOL scores were lower among individuals with advanced stage disease (all P < 0.05). Factors associated with lower overall QOL on multivariate analysis included older age, greater fatigue, severity of co-morbid health conditions, and current treatment. CLL has a profound impact on QOL at all disease stages. The effects of CLL on QOL appear to differ from that of other malignancies with a more marked impact on emotional QOL. Research identifying efficacious psycho-oncologic support interventions for patients with CLL is needed.
Shanafelt
Tait D
TD
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. shanafelt.tait@mayo.edu
Bowen
Deborah
D
Venkat
Chaya
C
Slager
Susan L
SL
Zent
Clive S
CS
Kay
Neil E
NE
Reinalda
Megan
M
Sloan
Jeff A
JA
Call
Timothy G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological