Depression, anxiety and quality of life in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia cohort

Although chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) accounts for 25-30% of leukemia cases, little is known about its psychosocial correlates. This study examines anxiety, depression and quality of life (QOL) in a CLL cohort.

One hundred five patients recruited from a CLL research database were classified into two groups: "watch and wait" or active treatment. The patients completed a mail-in battery of depression, anxiety and QOL measures.

There was no statistical difference between depression, anxiety and physical/mental QOL in "watch and wait" versus active-treatment groups. Patients < or =60 years reported more depression (P=.014) and worse emotional (P=.0001) and social QOL (P=.002). They also had more "watch and wait" anxiety (P=.052). Social and emotional QOL were similar in both newly diagnosed patients and those diagnosed >6 years ago, although physical QOL worsens with time (P=.05).

Depression, anxiety and QOL are remarkably similar in "watch and wait" versus actively treated CLL, despite the latter group having, by definition, later stage disease. Patients < or =60 years are more depressed and have reduced emotional and social QOL. Younger "watch and wait" patients are more anxious. Patients diagnosed for more than 6 years have a worse physical QOL, but their social and emotional QOL are similar to those of newly diagnosed patients.