The Association between Comorbidity and Survivorship among non-Hodgkin lymphoma Patients in Albania

Background Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL) are malignancies that affect patient survival. The aim of this study is to assess the association between comorbidity and NHL survivorship in a group of NHL patients in Albania. Methods A total of 107 patients newly diagnosed with NHLs and followed-up during 2011-2015 in the premises of Hematology Service of University Hospital Center Mother Teresa in Tirana, the capital of Albania, were included in the survey. All patients with existing NHLs were excluded. Kaplan-Meier test was used to assess patients survival during 2011-2015 and Cox Regression test was used to determine the risk of dying from NHLs during this period. Results Mean age of participants was 57.7 years and 61.7 % were males. About half of patients (44.9 %) had at least one concomitant disease at the time of diagnosis. The overall 50 months survival was 57.2 %, being significantly lower among NHL patients with comorbidity. Comorbidity NHL patients had a significantly twofold higher risk of dying from NHLs compared to NHL patients without concomitant diseases at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion Presence of comorbidity at the time of NHL diagnosis is associated with significantly shorter survival and significantly higher risk of death from NHLs.