Health-related quality of life in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma?

BACKGROUND

Little is currently known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a condition characterized by chronic, pruritic, visible lesions, features which may be uniquely influential.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to establish baseline HRQoL data for patients with CTCL and identify its influencing factors.

METHODS

Prospective, nonblinded survey design utilizing questionnaires including panels of QoL indices obtained from 105 patients with mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, and CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder. Chart review correlated QoL with year of disease onset/diagnosis, type/stage of disease, current/past therapies, and medical/psychiatric diagnoses.

RESULTS

Psychiatric condition was significantly associated with symptoms (P < 0.01), emotions (P < 0.01), and functioning (P < 0.03) subscales along with overall composite measure (P < 0.01). High-grade systemic therapy (OR = 5.28) showed greater increase in odds of a lower health state than low grade (OR = 1.54). The number of medical comorbidities was significantly related to itching (P < 0.01). Increased age was a protective factor with respect to the emotions (P < 0.01), functioning (P < 0.01), and overall composite (P < 0.01) but not predictive of symptoms. Lower income was associated with higher bother on the symptoms subscale.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQoL in CTCL appears related to a number of factors, including presence of a psychiatric condition, use of systemic (particularly high grade) therapy, number of medical comorbidities, and income.