OBJECTIVES: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients receive intense treatments which influence their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We summarized the HRQoL scores and factors influencing HRQoL among NHL patients through this review.

METHODS: A targeted literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase for identifying studies published in English from January 2010 to date. Publications reporting HRQoL in NHL patients were selected for narrative synthesis.

RESULTS: A total of 27 studies met the eligibility criteria of this review. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-General, FACT-Lymphoma and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were frequently used tools to measure HRQoL. FACT-G scores averaged around 81.9 to 87.8 (on a scale of 0-108). These scores increased since time of diagnosis, with better QoL in long term survivors when compared to short term survivors. Similar results were reported based on FACT-Lym scores, i.e. QoL scores improved since time of diagnosis (136.2 for 1-2 years since diagnosis to 154.9 for 5+ years). In addition to time since diagnosis, other factors that influenced HRQoL were physical activity, presence of chronic co-morbidity, private health insurance and age. Higher anxiety and depression scores were significantly correlated with lower QoL in NHL patients. For patients receiving treatment, those experiencing recurrence or those with unknown disease status had higher odds of lower QoL scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggested that HRQoL among NHL patients may improve over time probably as a response to an effective treatment. Further research is suggested to establish the positive relationship between time since disease diagnosis and QoL in NHL.