Association Between Hematologic Response and Change in Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Light-Chain (AL) Amyloidosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to examine the association between hematologic response and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data for this secondary analysis were collected through a non-interventional, longitudinal, online self-report survey of patients with AL amyloidosis. Patients completed an initial online survey, with follow-up surveys administered 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after completion of the initial survey. The online survey included an assessment of patients’ most recent self-reported hematologic response status. Eight domains and 2 summary components of HRQoL were evaluated with the SF-36v2(®) Health Survey. A series of logistic regression models were used to examine the association between self-reported hematologic response at 24 months (dichotomized as new or maintained complete hematologic response; less than a complete response) and change in HRQoL from baseline to 24 months (dichotomized as meaningful worsening; improvement or preservation). RESULTS: For all measured domains of HRQoL except physical functioning, there was no statistically significant relationship between meaningful worsening in HRQoL and hematologic response status at 24 months. Patients without a complete hematologic response had an odds of experiencing meaningful worsening of HRQoL that was similar to that of patients with a complete hematologic response. CONCLUSION: Among patients with AL amyloidosis, change in HRQoL was generally not associated with hematologic response. Achieving a complete hematologic response does not necessarily mean that a patient will experience increased or stable HRQoL. When defining treatment success, it is important to recognize that clinical markers such as hematologic response may not fully encapsulate the patient experience.