Associations Between Physical Activity, Treatment Status And Quality Of Life In A UK Cohort Of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

PURPOSE: In the USA, we have previously associated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with reduced physical fitness and activity levels. However, whether these associations are present in the UK remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the relationships between physical activity levels (PAL), PAL advice from healthcare providers, treatment status and quality of life (QoL) in adults with CLL. METHODS: We approached members of the CLL Support Association to complete a 240-part survey consisting of validated physical activity [Stanford Brief Activity Survey (SBAS), Godin Leisure Score, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPEQ)], comorbidity assessment, and cancer quality of life questions. RESULTS: Fifty-six adults [28F/28M: aged 67 years (range: 41-91 years)] with treatment naïve [N = 37 (66%)] or treated [N = 19 (34%)] CLL completed the study. Of these, 32% and 18% were staged Binet A & B, respectively, and the average disease duration was 7 years (range: 0.8-20 years). Current PAL consisted of 36.7% inactive or light, 38.8% moderate and 24.5% hard. PAL remained similar after CLL diagnosis (Before & After Godin Score: 39.1 ± 27.7 v 38.2 ± 28.1, p = 0.719). However, compared to treatment naïve, treated CLL had more people in the lowest PAL (SBAS: 56% v 27%, Z = 2.0) and fewer in the highest PAL (SBAS: 6% v 33%, Z = 2.1). QoL was positively associated with increased age (r = .373, p = 0.005) and negatively with higher comorbidities (r = -.273, p = 0.042) but was not associated with PAL (IPEQ: r = .141, p = 0.300) or treatment status (p = 0.917). Physical activity advice from a healthcare provider was uncommon (12.3% had received advice), while 88% of participants believed physical activity should be provided for CLL. CONCLUSIONS: Although our sample size is small, our survey suggests that in the UK, ~63% of adults with CLL regularly participate in moderate to hard intensities and amounts of physical activity. However, treated CLL participants have lower physical activity levels than treatment naïve participants. Lower physical activity levels while being treated for CLL likely affect several health outcomes. With such low advice offered by healthcare providers, future research should increase CLL healthcare providers’ ability to advise on physical activity.