Quality of Life Among Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Receiving Outpatient Care: Associations with Socioeconomic, Clinical, Psychological, and Physical Factors

Background: Although therapeutic advances have prolonged survival in hematologic malignancies, these conditions may still significantly impair patients’ functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To assess HRQoL and selected socioeconomic, psychological, and physical factors in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving outpatient care. Materials and Methods: This study included 94 patients: 33 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 30 with plasma cell myeloma, and 31 with follicular lymphoma. The mean age of participants was 61.5 ± 13.2 years. HRQoL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30); anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI); psychological adjustment to cancer was assessed using the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC) scale; and dominant-hand grip strength was recorded. Differences between groups and factors associated with global health status/quality of life were analyzed. Results: The median global health status/quality-of-life score (QL2) was 66.66 (IQR: 25.00) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 58.33 (IQR: 16.67) in patients with multiple myeloma, and 58.33 (IQR: 16.67) in patients with follicular lymphoma, on a 0–100 scale. Differences among diagnostic groups did not reach the predefined threshold for statistical significance (H(2, N = 94) = 5.7; p = 0.057). The median state anxiety score was 35.50 points (IQR:12), and the median trait anxiety score was 44.50 points (IQR:14). Significant differences between diagnoses were identified for trait anxiety (H(2, N = 94) = 16.76; p = 0.0002), whereas no statistically significant differences were observed for state anxiety (H(2, N = 94) = 5.19; p = 0.070). Moderate levels of constructive coping (median 44.00 points, IQR:5) and low levels of destructive coping (median 24.50 points, IQR:11) were observed, indicating a predominance of adaptive coping strategies; no significant between-group differences were detected. The median dominant-hand grip strength was 28 kg (IQR:18 kg), with no significant differences between diagnoses. Regression analysis showed that financial difficulties, trait anxiety, and dominant-hand grip strength were independently associated with the QL2 score (R2 = 0.431; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Financial difficulties, trait anxiety, and dominant-hand grip strength were independently associated with global health status/quality of life in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving outpatient care, although the cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions.