title: Symptom Burden and Quality of Life in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma undergoing Maintenance Treatment with Rituximab Compared with Observation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact on health related quality of life (HRQoL) of rituximab maintenance (R-M) versus observation (OBS) after induction for treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the charts of 137 patients (53% female, 87% White, age 61.0 ± 12.4 years) who received either R-M (n = 53) or OBS (n = 84) after chemotherapy induction for newly diagnosed FL at community oncology practices within the US. Patients (65% with advanced disease; 48% with a high FLIPI score [3-5]) had completed ≥1 Patient Care Monitor HRQoL survey in the period following front-line therapy, and were excluded if they had progressed during front-line therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Linear mixed models showed that postinduction, most symptoms were stable, with patients on R-M reporting HRQoL that was equal to that reported by OBS patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among R-M patients, receipt of rituximab was associated with improved psychological symptoms.
authors.affiliation: ACORN Research, LLC, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stepanski
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satram-Hoang
authors.forename: Arthur C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Houts
authors.forename: Lee S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Schwartzberg
keywords: Rituxan; follicular lymphoma; maintenance therapy; rituximab; symptoms
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