Exploring the link between unmet needs and quality of life in lymphoma survivors: a cross-sectional study

Lymphoma survivors face long-term treatment-related side effects that impact their quality of life (QOL) and needs. Yet, evidence on their specific challenges in the five years following diagnosis remains limited. Existing research has often examined unmet needs and QOL separately or within broader cancer populations, lacking a comprehensive analysis of their interconnections. This study explored the link between lymphoma survivors' unmet needs and quality of life.

A cross-sectional survey study recruited lymphoma survivors from the outpatient haematology-oncology services of five hospitals. The questionnaire comprised validated instruments for unmet needs (Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs) and QOL (FACT-LYM and EQ 5D-5L). Descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression and canonical correlation analyses were performed to analyse the data.

A survey was completed by 205 lymphoma survivors one to five years post-diagnosis. An increase in QOL was significantly associated with decreased unmet needs. Female and younger survivors were more likely to report higher unmet needs. The top two most frequently unmet needs items were 'dealing with feeling tired' (72.5%, n = 145) and 'coping with having a bad memory or lack of focus' (67.2%, n = 135).

The relationship between unmet needs and QOL among lymphoma survivors is complex, highlighting the need to address specific unmet needs and well-being dimensions to improve longer-term outcomes. This study supports the use of instruments to measure unmet needs, which help to identify survivors who may benefit from clinical attention or enhanced supportive care. The study findings suggest that interventions targeting unmet needs could improve survivors' QOL.