Quality of life in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an international survey of 1482 patients

Abstract

Summary 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.

Immunoglobulin diversity gene usage predicts unfavorable outcome in a subset of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

“…Considerable heterogeneity is present, however, in the clinical course of the unfavorable UM IGHV group, which to date is unexplained and is of clinical relevance to the patient (45). Accordingly, stratification parameters that improve the prognostic precision of mutation status would be of benefit to patients with low/intermediate Rai risk, asymptomatic UM disease.…”

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and CLL‐type monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (MBL) show differential expression of molecules involved in lymphoid tissue homing

“…CLL carries a significant psychological burden with emotional well-being scores significantly lower than the general population as well as other individuals with cancer, which may be attributable to the fact that ''nothing is being done'' about their malignancy (3).…”

Long-term chronic lymphocytic leukemia survivors’ quality of life

“…Клиницисты характеризуют хроническую лимфоцитарную лейкемию широким спектром клинических проявлений от медленно прогрессирующих индолентных форм до быстро прогрес-сирующего агрессивного заболевания. Для пациентов хро-ническая лимфоцитарная лейкемия обычно представляется хроническим заболеванием, которое существенно влияет на их жизнь [9,10].Повышение выживаемости -основная цель лечения онкогематологических заболеваний. В идеале, лечение, этому способствующее, должно оптимизировать качество жизни пациентов в контексте их заболевания [3,5] С целью сравнительного изучения качества жизни пациентов с регрессией хронической лимфоцитарной лейкемии с учетом демо-графических, клинических, психосоциальных факторов риска неблагоприятного прогноза в зависимости от возникновения кардиова-скулярных событий обследовали 138 больных.…”

“…Клиницисты характеризуют хроническую лимфоцитарную лейкемию широким спектром клинических проявлений от медленно прогрессирующих индолентных форм до быстро прогрес-сирующего агрессивного заболевания. Для пациентов хро-ническая лимфоцитарная лейкемия обычно представляется хроническим заболеванием, которое существенно влияет на их жизнь [9,10].…”