Symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective Existing cross-sectional observational studies indicate that patients with multiple myeloma experience negative physical and psychological symptoms and low health-related quality of life. The study aim was to determine symptom prevalence, health-related quality of life and symptoms associated with health-related quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Methods This multicenter longitudinal cohort study was conducted in four hospitals in Japan. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were asked to report their symptom intensity and health-related quality of life using validated questionnaires at three points: at diagnosis (T1), 1 month (T2) and 12 months after diagnosis (T3). Symptoms associated with health-related quality of life were explored using a mixed-effects model. Results A total of 106 patients completed the assessment at T1. The symptoms more than 30% of patients reported were pain, disturbed sleep and distress at T1, pain, dry mouth, disturbed sleep and fatigue at T2, fatigue, numbness of tingling and pain and numbness or tingling at T3. Pain and depression were significantly associated with health-related quality of life negatively. Conclusions The finding suggests that more than 30% of multiple myeloma patients suffered from pain and various symptoms and they received suboptimal palliative care within a year after starting initial chemotherapy. Pain and depression should be the main targets of interventions to improve health-related quality of life in this population.

The core symptom in multiple myeloma patients undergoing chemotherapy: a network analysis

“…Reasons for the pain in MM patients are bone disease, peripheral neuropathy, and procedural pain due to diagnostic evaluation and treatment [ 34 , 35 ]. MM patients suffer pain during all disease stages, and this influences the patient’s quality of life [ 36 ]. Recently, bisphosphonates have been recommended for the treatment of bone diseases in MM patients, as they reduce skeletal-related events and control pain [ 37 ].…”

Anti‐CD38 antibody isatuximab monotherapy for Japanese individuals with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: An update of the phase 1/2 ISLANDs study

“…Most participants had MM of heavy chain IgG (70.0%), light chain kappa subtype (61.0%), with measurable Mprotein (serum: 73.0%; urine: 12.0%; both: 15.0%) at baseline. Participants had received a median (range) of 5 (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) prior lines of treatment. The majority of the participants were refractory to an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD; 91.0% of participants) and/or a PI (88.0% of participants).…”

“…1,2 It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. 3,4 In Japan, the incidence of MM was 6.1 per 100,000 persons in 2018, and it is expected to increase with age. 4 Myeloma cells have a high concentration of CD38 receptors and a slower growth fraction than other hematologic malignancies, and are therefore potentially suitable targets for anti-CD38 antibody therapy.…”

“…3,4 In Japan, the incidence of MM was 6.1 per 100,000 persons in 2018, and it is expected to increase with age. 4 Myeloma cells have a high concentration of CD38 receptors and a slower growth fraction than other hematologic malignancies, and are therefore potentially suitable targets for anti-CD38 antibody therapy. 5,6 Isatuximab is an IgG kappa monoclonal antibody directed against a specific CD38 epitope distinct from that of daratumumab, and produces antitumor activity through antibody-dependent cellmediated cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and proapoptotic activity.…”

“…Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy, characterized by hyperproliferation of malignant plasma cells in bone marrow and immune dysfunction 1,2 . It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality 3,4 . In Japan, the incidence of MM was 6.1 per 100,000 persons in 2018, and it is expected to increase with age 4 …”