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A systematic review of health‐related quality of life in longitudinal studies of myeloma patients
Author(s) -
Nielsen Lene Kongsgaard,
Jarden Mary,
Andersen Christen Lykkegaard,
Frederiksen Henrik,
Abildgaard Niels
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/ejh.12882
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , health related quality of life , multiple myeloma , physical therapy , longitudinal study , disease , pathology , nursing
Objectives Multiple myeloma ( MM ) patients report high symptom burden and reduced health‐related quality of life ( HRQ oL) compared to patients with other haematological malignancies. The aim of this review was to analyse published longitudinal studies including MM patients according to a change in HRQ oL scores, which is perceived as beneficial to the patient according to two published guidelines. Methods A literature search was performed May 2016. Publications with longitudinal follow‐up using the EORTC QLQ ‐C30 instrument for HRQ oL measurement of physical functioning, global quality of life, fatigue and/or pain were included. An analysis of mean change from baseline was carried out according to minimal important difference ( MID ). Results Large and medium HRQ oL improvements were reported during first‐line treatments. No clinically beneficial change or deteriorations in scores of global QoL or fatigue were reported during relapse treatment. HRQ oL data during maintenance therapy are sparse and inconclusive. Conclusions Guidelines for interpreting changes in HRQ oL including definitions of MID have been developed; however, consensus is missing. Improvements in HRQ oL are far more likely to occur during first‐line compared to relapsed treatment regimens. The background of these findings should be in focus in future studies, and HRQ oL measurements should be integrated in maintenance studies.