The impact of treatment duration on quality of life,economic burden,and work productivity among chronic myeloid leukemia survivors

Abstract

Objective

To explore the impact of treatment duration on quality of life (QoL), economic burden, and work productivity among chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) survivors.

Methods

A single-center cross-sectional design was adopted, and 72 CML survivors who received treatment for ≥3 months were enrolled. Correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the association between treatment duration and the outcomes.

Results

Treatment duration was an independent negative predictor of overall QoL (β = −0.013, p < 0.001) and an independent positive predictor of perceived economic burden (β = 0.023, p < 0.001) and overall work productivity loss rate (β = 0.302, p < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that treatment duration was significantly positively correlated with economic burden in low-income patients and those receiving combined therapy or post-transplant maintenance therapy (both p = 0.008), with total treatment costs mediating 60.9% of this association. Additionally, TKI monotherapy, higher household income, stronger social support, and better physical function were protective factors for QoL, while anxiety and depression were associated with more adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

Prolonged treatment duration is associated with reduced QoL, increased economic burden, and impaired work productivity in CML survivors, with these associations modulated by socioeconomic status, treatment modality, and mental health.