FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG-TERM FUNCTIONAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Objective: To assess the long-term functional, psy-chosocial and participation outcomes in an Austra-lian cohort of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survi-vors.Methods: A cross-sectional sample of adult NHL sur-vivors at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (bet-ween 2015 and 2020), participated by completing validated questionnaires. A series of analyses des-cribed their current level of function, psychosocial well-being, and participation.Results: Of 129 participants (mean (M) +/- standard deviation (SD) age: 62.5 +/- 8.8 years), the majo-rity (58%) had aggressive NHL and grade III- IV (72%), with time since diagnosis of 4.6 +/- 1.2 years. Participants reported ongoing issues after completion of treatment: fatigue (63%), bladder dysfunction (61%), cognitive impairment (53%), and NHL-related pain (46%). Most made good functional recovery (M +/- SD) (Functional Indepen-dent Measure-Motor: 79.5 +/- 8.2), reported mini-mal change in their negative emotional states, and NHL-specific quality of life (QoL) (Functio-nal Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lymphoma: 133.5 +/- 22.1). Participants were well adjusted to community living (Community Integration Mea-sure: 42.2 +/- 7.4) and satisfied with their current life (Satisfaction with Life Scale: 26.3 +/- 6.0). Fac-tors significantly associated with the poorer cur-rent level of function were: age at diagnosis < 60 years, time since NHL diagnosis > 4.5 years, and aggressive NHL type. Conclusion: Despite good functional recovery and adjustment in the community, NHL survivors report the presence of ongoing residual impairments and cognitive issues, which requires long-term rehabili-tation-inclusive management.

Automated summary

This study assessed the long-term outcomes in terms of function, psychosocial well-being, and participation in a cohort of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors in Australia. The findings showed that despite good functional recovery and adjustment in the community, survivors reported ongoing physical and cognitive issues, highlighting the need for long-term rehabilitation-inclusive management.