6603 Background: Although chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) accounts for 25–30% of leukemia cases in the USA, little is known about its quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial burden. The purpose of this study was to compare QOL, anxiety and depression in watch and wait versus actively treated CLL. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 105 patients were recruited from a CLL research database. 57 were classified as watch and wait and 48 as receiving or having received chemotherapy for CLL. The patients completed a battery of QOL measures including the SF-36, FACT-Lym, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Results: No differences were found between the treatment groups on the main QOL outcome measures - Mental Component Score, Physical Component Score, FACT-G, FACT-lymphoma (15 item), BDI-II and BAI. There was a clear age effect: younger patients (<60 years old) have worse Mental Component (p=0.0001), FACT-G (p=0.060), depression (p=0.014), Role Emotional (p=0.042), Mental Health (p=0.001), FACT-Emotional (p=0.0001) and FACT-Social (p=0.002) scores. Younger watch and wait patients seem to be particularly vulnerable to anxiety (p=0.052). Social and emotional QOL are statistically similar in both newly diagnosed and patients diagnosed six or more years ago, although patients do carry a greater physical QOL burden with time (p=0.05). Conclusions: Overall QOL, depression and anxiety are remarkably similar in watch and wait versus actively treated CLL, despite the latter group having, by definition, later stage disease. Younger patients (<60 years old) seem particularly vulnerable to having a reduced emotional and social QOL and having more depression. Younger watch and wait patients stood out as suffering from more anxiety. Patients diagnosed for more than 6 years carry a greater physical QOL burden, but social and emotional QOL are similar to newly diagnosed patients. Implications of these findings are considered. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Identifying patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia without need of treatment (CLL‐WONT): end of endless watch and wait?
