Vitality as a Prognostic Biomarker in Hematologic Malignancies: Association With Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patient-reported vitality is increasingly recognized as a prognostic factor in oncology. We evaluated whether the baseline vitality domain of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) predicts overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with hematologic malignancies. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study at a tertiary cancer center in Colombia, with prospective baseline assessment and outcomes ascertained from clinical records. Consecutive adults with advanced multiple myeloma, lymphoma, or acute leukemia completed the SF-36 vitality domain at enrollment and were followed for survival and disease progression. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included: 31 with high vitality (score > 50) and 25 with low vitality (score ≤ 50). Low vitality was associated with worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and higher mortality (60% vs. 29%, p = 0.040). Median OS was 16 months in the low-vitality group versus not reached in the high-vitality group (log-rank p = 0.064). Median PFS was 10 versus 28 months (p = 0.041). In Cox regression, low vitality remained associated with a higher risk of death, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.46 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94-6.48; p = 0.068). As a continuous variable, each 10-point increase in vitality score was associated with a 17% reduction in mortality risk (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.97; p = 0.032). Adding vitality improved prognostic discrimination, with the concordance index increasing from 0.63 to 0.71. CONCLUSIONS: Low baseline vitality was associated with inferior survival outcomes and may provide incremental prognostic value beyond performance status in advanced hematologic malignancies. Prospective validation in larger cohorts is warranted.
Source: Cureus
Institutions: Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Universidad de La Sabana
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214530186