Quality of Life in Hematologic Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Low Dose Naltrexone Versus Placebo

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate its effect on hematologic cancer patients. This was a randomized controlled trial assessing quality of life in patients with hematologic malignancies from a single institute in Hamedan. Patients were allocated into two study arms and in addition to their routine treatment received either daily naltrexone 3 mg capsules (treatment group) or 3 mg starch (placebo group) and were followed up for 5 months. Quality of life was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 in four points in time (at admission, 1, 3 and 5 months follow-up). Data were analyzed to compare quality of life in two groups. Totally, 89 patients were studied (45 in treatment group and 44 in placebo group). There were no significant differences between two groups either in demographic and clinical characteristics or in baseline quality of life scores. However, at 1 month, 3 and 5-month follow-up assessments significant differences were observed. In one month follow-up two groups were significantly different in social functioning (p<0.05) indicating a better condition in the treatment group. In the 3-month follow-up, social functioning, role functioning, nausea and vomiting and appetite loss were better in the treatment group (all p-values <0.05). In the 5-month follow-up, physical functioning, social functioning, role functioning, global quality of life, nausea and vomiting and appetite loss were significantly better in the nalterxone group. Low dose naltrexone is an effective drug in improving quality of life in patients with hematologic cancers.