Clinical Determinants of Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Objective: This study evaluates the clinical factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) in elderly patients with hematological malignancies. Method: A cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted from April to September 2024, involving patients aged 65 and older with hematological malignancies. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Functional status was evaluated with the ECOG performance scale, activity of daily living (ADL), instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Nutritional status was analyzed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Parameters were compared by gender, age (<75 years and ≥75 years), and chemotherapy status, with correlation analyses to explore relationships. Results: The study included 147 patients with a median age of 72.5 ±6.3. Significant correlations were found between functional scores and QoL indicators: negative correlations with ECOG and CFS (r=-0.336 to -0.618, p<0.001) and positive correlations with ADL and IADL scores (r=-0.336 to -0.628). Common symptoms included fatigue, nausea, and insomnia, with notable correlations to clinical parameters. Women reported worse scores in physical assessments and emotional/social functioning, experiencing higher levels of fatigue, pain, and insomnia. Conclusion: Functional disorders, depression, and nutritional status significantly impact the QoL of elderly patients with hematological malignancies, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary health management approach.