Sexual quality of life in Hodgkin Lymphoma: a longitudinal analysis by the German Hodgkin Study Group

Abstract

Background:Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) comprises different domains of physical, mental, and social well-being. In this analysis, we focus on sexual quality of life in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients.Methods:Four-thousand one-hundred and sixty patients enroled in the HD10–HD12 trials underwent HRQoL assessment. Instruments included the Quality of Life Questionnaire for survivors (QLQ-S), combining the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, Multidimensional fatigue (FA) inventory (MFI-20) and an additional sexual functioning (SX) scale. We describe SX up to 27 months after therapy and analyse relationship to stage, age, gender, FA, social functioning, and therapy. Statistical methods range from descriptive statistics to a classification of SX courses, and a longitudinal structural equations model with full information maximum likelihood estimation of missing data. In the analysis, a score below 50 was used to describe severe sexual dysfunction.Results:Three-thousand two-hundred and eight patients provided data on SX. Patients in advanced stages reported lower SX than patients in early stages both, before and after the treatment. During follow-up, an improvement of SX compared with baseline was detected, except for those ⩾50 years. Patients in early stages reached normal SX, whereas advanced-stage patients remained below the reference value for healthy controls. Sexual functioning during follow-up was significantly and strongly related to previous SX, other HRQoL measures, age, and stage, and to lesser degree with gender and chemotherapy.Conclusion:Overall, HL patients have a decreased sexual quality of life at baseline, which improves after therapy and normalises in early-stage patients. Importantly, long-term SX is more closely related to patient characteristics and SX at baseline than to the intensity of treatment.

The role of sexuality symptoms in myeloproliferative neoplasm symptom burden and quality of life: An analysis by the MPN QOL International Study Group

“…As further observed within the final multivariate analysis, EORTC QLQ‐C30 role functioning was particularly impacted along with overall reduced QOL. Previous studies of patients with cancer have identified that the diagnosis of malignancy is associated with changes in relationship status, frequency of sexual activity, performance of daily activities, time spent in the home, and relationship status with family and friends . Within the MPN population, a patient's inability to fill previous gender‐related responsibilities such as managing the household, earning the family income, or providing care to other family members can be a source of significant distress that likely imparts a secondary impact on sexual behavior.…”

Patients Treated for Hematologic Malignancies

“…33 Hence, this study adds to our findings that suggest that sexuality in patients older than 50 years treated for hematologic malignancies has to be further studied in larger samples to achieve more reliable data. Besides this, Kiserud et al 15 discussed that comorbidity and patients' experiences of poorer health need to be further explored in contrast to affected sexuality.…”

Antibodies and antibody‐drug conjugates in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma

“…The risk of acute and long‐term toxicity might also be reduced. This is particularly important as late sequelae including infertility, heart failure and secondary solid and hematological malignancies do not only impair the quality of life but are also responsible for a relevant proportion of deaths among HL survivors .…”