FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG-TERM FUNCTIONAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Objective: To assess the long-term functional, psy-chosocial and participation outcomes in an Austra-lian cohort of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survi-vors.Methods: A cross-sectional sample of adult NHL sur-vivors at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (bet-ween 2015 and 2020), participated by completing validated questionnaires. A series of analyses des-cribed their current level of function, psychosocial well-being, and participation.Results: Of 129 participants (mean (M) +/- standard deviation (SD) age: 62.5 +/- 8.8 years), the majo-rity (58%) had aggressive NHL and grade III- IV (72%), with time since diagnosis of 4.6 +/- 1.2 years. Participants reported ongoing issues after completion of treatment: fatigue (63%), bladder dysfunction (61%), cognitive impairment (53%), and NHL-related pain (46%). Most made good functional recovery (M +/- SD) (Functional Indepen-dent Measure-Motor: 79.5 +/- 8.2), reported mini-mal change in their negative emotional states, and NHL-specific quality of life (QoL) (Functio-nal Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lymphoma: 133.5 +/- 22.1). Participants were "well" adjusted to community living (Community Integration Mea-sure: 42.2 +/- 7.4) and satisfied with their current life (Satisfaction with Life Scale: 26.3 +/- 6.0). Fac-tors significantly associated with the poorer cur-rent level of function were: age at diagnosis < 60 years, time since NHL diagnosis > 4.5 years, and aggressive NHL type. Conclusion: Despite good functional recovery and adjustment in the community, NHL survivors report the presence of ongoing residual impairments and cognitive issues, which requires long-term rehabili-tation-inclusive management.