title: Association of social network and social support with health-related quality of life and fatigue in long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As the number of survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) increases, there has been a growing interest in long-term treatment-related side effects and their impact on the quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the association of social network and social support with the QoL and fatigue among long-term HL survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 200 HL survivors were included. The generic Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire, the QoL cancer survivor's questionnaire (QOL-CS), and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory were used to assess QoL and fatigue. Social network and social support were evaluated with the Social Support Survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Social network and all social support measures were favorably associated with two or more SF-12 scales, mainly with physical functioning and the mental health scales. Social network and social support dimensions were also associated with better QOL-CS scores. Affective support, informational support, positive interaction, and emotional support were associated with less fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both social network and social support are associated with better QoL and lower levels of fatigue in HL survivors. This information may be useful to health professionals and community organizations in implementing effective interventions to improve these patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Service, University Hospital, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Biasoli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheliga
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Brabo
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Werneck
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spector
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*