Work

Frailty and associated factors in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma during chemotherapy: a longitudinal study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose To investigate the dynamic changes of frailty and its associated factors in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma during chemotherapy. Method Using a convenience sampling method, 266 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma hospitalized in the Department of Hematology at five tertiary hospitals in China were recruited from January to August 2025. General information, frailty, cognition, physical performance, nutrition, and anxiety were investigated before chemotherapy (T0), at the third cycle (T1), and at the end of chemotherapy (T2). Generalized Estimating Equations were utilized to analyze the factors related to frailty. Results Finally, 252 patients completed the longitudinal follow-up. The mean frailty scores were 4.31 ± 2.46 (T0), 5.22 ± 2.59 (T1), and 4.50 ± 2.65 (T2). Generalized estimating equations results indicated that factors significantly associated with frailty included sociodemographic factors (level of education), treatment-related variables (dose reduction, treatment delay), nutritional and inflammatory factors (appetite loss, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, CONUT score), physical function factors (grip strength, SPPB score), cognitive function (MoCA-B score), and psychological status (GAD-7 score) ( P < 0.05). Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma meet criteria for frailty during chemotherapy, with prevalence peaking at 59.3% at the end of the third cycle, and the observed trajectory of initial increase followed by decrease warrants cautious interpretation given the observational design. Dynamic monitoring and individualized supportive care are recommended, though interventional studies are needed to confirm whether frailty can be genuinely modified.

Source: Frontiers in Oncology

DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1906500

Authors: Ying Zhang, Ruofei Du, Yating Du, Huimin Yang, Yinxia Dou

Institutions: Zhengzhou Health College, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Frailty in Older Adults

Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801