Gender disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Int J Womens Dermatol
; 9(2): e085, 2023 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37284299
ABSTRACT
Patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) often experience debilitating symptoms that impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Existing evidence for HRQoL differences with respect to gender is conflicting. Objective:
To investigate potential gender differences in HRQoL for patients with CTCL.Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional study to assess HRQoL in patients with CTCL by partnering with the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation to distribute an electronic survey from February to April 2019.Results:
A total of 292 patient responses (66% women, mean age 57 years) were included in the analysis. Most of the cohort had early-stage (IA-IIA) (74%; 162/203) mycosis fungoides (MFs) (87%; 241/279), followed by Sézary syndrome (SS) (12%; 33/279). Women with CTCL experienced significantly worse HRQoL compared with men (Skindex-16 51±26 vs. 36±26, P ≤ 0.001; FACT-G 69±21 vs. 77±16, P = 0.005). This gender difference was present even when controlling for stage of disease. Women experienced worse HRQoL in all three of the Skindex-16 subscales (symptoms ß = 14.0, P ≤ 0.001; emotions ß = 15.1, P ≤ 0.001; functioning ß = 11.3, P = 0.006), but only two of the four FACT-G subscales (physical ß =-2.8, P ≤ 0.001; emotional ß = -2.0, P = 0.004).Limitations:
Due to the method of distribution of the survey, we were unable to estimate a participant response rate. Participants' diagnosis and stage were self-reported.Conclusion:
In this cohort women with CTCL experienced significantly worse HRQoL when compared to men. Additional studies are necessary to determine what factors contribute to this gender disparity.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Womens Dermatol
Year:
2023
Type:
Article