Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer Under Prolonged Anticoagulation for High-Risk Deep Vein Thrombosis: a Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract

Current guidelines recommend to prolong anticoagulant treatment in patients with cancer with venous thromboembolism (VTE); only few studies evaluated other parameters than cancer itself for selecting patients at higher risk of recurrent VTE. Long-term management of VTE is thus challenged by several controversies mainly for patients compliance. We here report results of a long-term follow-up in patients with deep vein thrombosis under anticoagulant treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for residual vein thrombosis (RVT) detected at compression ultrasonography (CUS), 6 months after standard anticoagulant treatment. Patients with RVT were deemed at high risk of recurrences and included in the current observational study. They continued LMWH (reduced at 75% standard dose) for further additional 2 years after enrolment or until death. Patients were followed up every 3 months or earlier, if needed. Among ancillary study end points, there was the assessment of patients’ quality of life during daily treatment with subcutaneous injections. Quality of life was determined by the EORTC-C30 questionnaire, administered by a skilled psychologist at enrolment and every 6 months follow-up visits. Overall, 128 patients were evaluated during follow-up. Mean global EORTC-C30 score at enrollment and at 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up were 52.1, 51.4, 50.8 and 50.1, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between scores at enrolment and at the last available follow-up (P =.1). Long-term treatment with LMWH resulted, effective and safe, it was globally well tolerated and exempt of negative impact on quality of life of the enrolled patients. Reported results support long-term anticoagulant treatment with LMWH in cancer patients at risk of recurrent VTE.