Associations between sexuality, body image and health-related quality of life in patients treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: Sexuality and body image are closely related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but these factors are less investigated in patients treated for lymphoma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and explore the associations between sexuality, body image, comorbidities and HRQoL in patients treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 257 patients (25% response rate) was conducted in 2019 using measures for sexuality, HRQoL and body image and data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Leukemia-Subregistry for Lymphoma.

Results: The participants had a mean HRQoL of 69.75 on a 1 to 100 scale, and the functional scales ranged from 68.50 for Role to 80.82 for Social functioning. The symptoms ranged from 5.56 for nausea and vomiting to 37.73 for fatigue. Regarding body image, the participants scored a total of 14.47 (reference values 10-40). The total score for Sexual adjustment was 3.02 (fair), and for the subscales Sexual Interest 2.63 (low), Sexual Relation 2.72 (low), Sexual Function 3.62 (high) and Sexual Satisfaction 3.50 (high). HRQoL was positively associated with Sexual Relation; however, negative body image and comorbidities showed negative associations. The model explains 39.6% of the variation in HRQoL.

Conclusion: The positive impact of sexual relationships on HRQoL was highlighted, which emphasised the unfavourable effect of negative body image and comorbidities on HRQoL for lymphoma patients. Cancer nurses should address these topics with patients to improve their long-term well-being.