Quality of Radiotherapy Reporting in Randomized Controlled Trials of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: In Regard to Bekelman and Yahalom (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2009;73:492-498)

Background. The individual concerns of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) patients require identification and assessment during clinical research proposing to measure patients’ outcomes. The FACT-Lym was developed as part of the FACIT measurement system to address health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) issues for NHL patients. Patients and Methods. Items for the FACT lymphoma subscale (LymS) were generated from healthcare provider interviews, published literature, and content validity patient interviews. The FACT-Lym was validated on a sample of 84 NHL patients, with additional measures at baseline (T1), 3–7 days (T2), and 8–12 weeks (T3). Results. Item correlations, expert relevance ratings, and patient input on content shortened the initial 22-item LymS to 15 items. The validation sample included 56% female, 76.2% white, 60% indolent disease, and 85% receiving treatment. Internal consistency coefficients for the 15-item LymS (.79, .85, and .84 T1–T3) and test-retest stability (.84) indicated good reliability. Correlations between LymS and SF-36 physical (r=.62) and mental (r=.48) summary scores reflect concurrent validity. Responsiveness to ECOG performance status and treatment status exceeded established FACT subscale scores. The FACT-LymS differentiated patients’ retrospective ratings of change in each of the three groups (better; unchanged; worse), P<0.001. Conclusions. These results support the validity of the FACT-Lym and suggest it will be a useful targeted endpoint in NHL clinical research.

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Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Adult Survivors of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2008.17.5026 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 960-966 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Keith M. Bellizzi ◽

Julia H. Rowland ◽

Neeraj K. Arora ◽

Ann S. Hamilton ◽

Melissa Farmer Miller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽

Adult Survivors ◽

Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽

Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽

Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Purpose To examine the prevalence and correlates of physical activity in adult survivors of aggressive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and to explore the association between physical activity level and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients and Methods Physical activity and HRQOL data from 319 survivors of NHL (mean age, 59.8 years, standard deviation, ±14.8) who were diagnosed in Los Angeles County approximately 2 to 5 years before the study was analyzed. Results One quarter of survivors of NHL met public health guidelines of 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. More than half (53%) reported some activity but less than 150 minutes per week, whereas 20% reported no physical activity. Females, those with lower perceived health competence, and individuals with more comorbid limitations were at increased risk for inactivity. Individuals who met public health guidelines reported better HRQOL than those who were sedentary. Interestingly, our findings suggest a significant positive association between HRQOL and those who get at least some exercise. Conclusion The effort to promote physical activity among cancer survivors, who are at risk for poor quality of life as a result of treatment, is of great importance to the health of this growing population. As NHL, similar to other cancers, becomes a disease that people live with as opposed to one that people die as a result of, oncologists and primary care physicians will be increasingly challenged to provide evidence-based guidance for the long-term management of the patient's health. Consideration should be given to how clinicians frame exercise-promoting messages to cancer survivors, especially to those who are sedentary.

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