Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after modern treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma; symptom burden and quality of life.

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting side effect of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) treatment. We aimed to describe the prevalence of CIPN associated symptoms in long-term HL survivors compared to controls, and determine associated factors, including impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire, including EORTC QLQ-CIPN-20 for CIPN related symptoms and SF-36 for HRQoL, was completed by 303 HL survivors at a median of 16 years after diagnosis. CIPN results were compared to a normative population ( = 606). CIPN associated factors were identified by linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Total CIPN score and subscores were significantly higher in HL survivors compared to controls. In multivariate analysis of HL survivors, a number of comorbidities ( < 0.001) and female gender ( = 0.05) were significantly associated with more CIPN. No association with disease or treatment factors was found. In a multivariate analysis including survivors and controls, the number of comorbidities ( < 0.001) and caseness ( < 0.001) were significantly associated with more CIPN. In HL survivors higher CIPN score was associated with reduced HRQoL ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

HL survivors more than a decade after treatment report higher neuropathy-related symptom burden than controls, with a negative impact on HRQoL. Symptoms may be related to factors other than neurotoxic chemotherapy.