Symptom Burden and Quality of Life in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma undergoing Maintenance Treatment with Rituximab Compared with Observation.

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.