Health-related quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma on novel agents: Report from a tertiary cancer center in rural India

Abstract

Background: Multiple myeloma is a disease where health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important treatment end point. There are limited quality of life data of patients on novel antimyeloma agents, especially from developing countries. Methods: All adult patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma who were on novel agents for a period of at least one year and attended our clinic between July 15, 2015 and July 30, 2015 were included in the study. They were asked to fill local language versions of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), supplemented by the myeloma-specific module, and the outcomes were analyzed. Mean scores of the study population were compared with EORTC reference values. A higher score for a functional domain indicates a higher level of functioning, whereas a higher symptom score indicates a higher symptomatic burden. Results: Of the total 64 patients, median age was 60 years and 60% (n = 38) were females. Median duration from diagnosis was 23 months (12–92 months). Mean QoL score for global quality of life was 55.3 and was comparable to the reference score. Our patients had significantly lower physical function score and higher financial strain compared to the reference population. The most common symptom was pain (60%), and the most common adverse effect was peripheral neuropathy (60%). Sixty-five percent of the patients were worried about future health and 42% about dying. Conclusion: Our patients with multiple myeloma have lower HRQoL compared to the reference population in many domains, despite being on novel agents.

Keywords

• india
• multiple myeloma
• novel agents
• quality of life