Dataset Information

Quality of Life and Impact of Cancer: Differences in Rural and Nonrural Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivors.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

People living in rural areas experience greater health disparities than their nonrural counterparts, but little is known about the association between rural status and quality of life (QOL) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) survivors. We compared self-reported quality of life and impact of cancer in rural and nonrural NHL survivors.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of 566 NHL cancer survivors recruited from cancer registries at 2 large academic medical centers in 1 state. Standardized measures collected information on demographics and clinical characteristics, quality of life (QOL; SF-36), and the Impact of Cancer (IOCv2). Rural residence was determined by Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes designated as nonmetropolitan. Multiple linear regression analysis, adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates, was used to evaluate the relationship between rural residence and QOL and impact of cancer.

Findings

Among the 566 participants (83% response rate), rural residence was independently associated with lower SF-36 physical component summary scores and the physical function subscale (all P < .05). Rural residence was also associated with higher IOCv2 positive impact scores and the subscales of altruism/empathy and meaning of cancer scores in the adjusted models (all P < .05).

Conclusions

Given documented rural cancer disparities and the lack of resources in rural communities, study findings support the continued need to provide supportive care to rural cancer survivors to improve their QOL. Consistent with previous research, rural residence status is associated with increased positive impact following cancer diagnosis.

SUBMITTER: Noonan D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7529644 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) undergo treatment with central nervous system-directed therapy, the potentially neurotoxic effects of which have not been reported in NHL survivors. METHODS:NHL survivors (n?=?187) participating in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort who were 10 or more years from their diagnosis and were 18 years old or older underwent neurocognitive, emotional distress (Brief Symptom Inventory 18), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments (36-Item Short Form Health Survey). Age-adjusted z scores were compared with community controls (n?=?181) and normative data. Treatment exposures were abstracted from medical records. Models adjusted for the age, sex, and time from diagnosis were used to calculate the risk of impairment. RESULTS:The mean ages at evaluation were similar for the survivors and the controls (35.7?±?8.9 vs 35.5?±?11.0 years; P?=?.86). Survivors were 25.2?±?8.8 years from their diagnosis: 43 (23%) received cranial radiation, 70 (37%) received high-dose methotrexate, 40 (21%) received high-dose cytarabine, and 151 (81%) received intrathecal chemotherapy. Survivors' intelligence and attention were within normal limits; however, their memory, executive function, processing speed, and academics were impaired in comparison with both population norms and community controls (P values?<?.05). Treatment-related exposures were not associated with neurocognitive function; however, neurocognitive impairment was associated with lower educational attainment, unemployment, and occupational status (P values?<?.03). Slower processing speed and worse self-reported executive function were associated with symptoms of depression (P values???.003) and poorer HRQOL (P values?<?.05). CONCLUSIONS:Adult survivors of childhood NHL experience impaired neurocognitive function, which is associated with lower social attainment and poor HRQOL. Early-detection and intervention strategies are recommended. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.