Health practice in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the health practice of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors and their siblings, and to assess the impact of socioeconomic status and disease history on health practice of HL survivors.


METHODS
We conducted a questionnaire study on long-term HL survivors and their siblings on health care utilization, health habits, and screening behavior.


RESULTS
A total of 511 HL survivors (response rate of 50%, including survivors lost to contact) and 224 siblings (response rate, 58%) participated. Median time from HL diagnosis was 15 years. Significantly more survivors than siblings had a physical examination in the past year (63% vs. 49%, p = 0.0001). Male survivors were significantly more likely than siblings to perform monthly self-testicular examinations (19% vs. 9%, p = 0.02). Among survivors, higher household income (p = 0.01) independently predicted for having had a physical examination in the past year. Lower educational level (p = 0.0004) and history of relapsed HL (p = 0.03) were independent predictors for smoking, moderate/heavy alcohol use, and/or physical inactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with siblings, long-term HL survivors have a higher level of health care utilization and better screening practice. Survivors from lower socioeconomic background had lower adherence to routine health care and greater report of unhealthy habits. Survivors with history of relapsed HL were also more likely to engage in unhealthy habits.
Ng
Andrea K
AK
Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ang@lroc.harvard.edu
Li
Sigui
S
Recklitis
Christopher
C
Diller
Lisa R
LR
Neuberg
Donna
D
Silver
Barbara
B
Mauch
Peter M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D035781:Siblings; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors