Quality of life, psychological distress, and prognostic perceptions in patients with multiple myeloma. Issue 10 (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Donnell, Elizabeth K.; Shapiro, Yael N.; Yee, Andrew J.; Nadeem, Omar; Hu, Bonnie Y.; Laubach, Jacob P.; Branagan, Andrew R.; Anderson, Kenneth C.; Mo, Clifton C.; Munshi, Nikhil C.; Ghobrial, Irene M.; Sperling, Adam S.; Agyemang, Emerentia A.; Burke, Jill N.; Harrington, Cynthia C.; Richardson, Paul G.; Raje, Noopur S.; El‐Jawahri, Areej
• Is Part Of: Cancer. Volume 128:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1996
• Page End: 2004
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: multiple myeloma -- perceptions of prognosis -- psychological distress -- quality of life -- supportive care; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34134
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-543X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy requiring long‐term, continuous therapy. Despite its chronic and unrelenting course, studies examining quality of life (QOL), psychological distress, and perceptions of prognosis by line of therapy are lacking. Methods: The authors conducted a cross‐sectional, multisite study of patients undergoing treatment for MM (excluding maintenance) between June 2020 and January 2021. The authors conducted purposeful sampling and recruited patients to 3 cohorts based on lines of therapy: 1) newly diagnosed receiving first‐line therapy; 2) 2 to 3 lines; and 3) 4 or more lines. Patients completed validated questionnaires to assess their QOL, fatigue, psychological distress, and perceptions of prognosis. Results: A total of 180 patients with MM were enrolled (newly diagnosed [n = 60], 2 to 3 lines [n = 60], and ≥4 lines of therapy [n = 60]). QOL, symptom burden, and fatigue scores did not differ by lines of therapy. There were no statistically significant differences in psychological distress by line of therapy. The rates of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms were 23.9% (43 of 180), 23.9% (43 of 180), and 24.4% (44 of 180), respectively. Most patients (84.7%, 149 of 176) reported that their oncologist told them their cancer was incurable, but only 30.6% (53 of 173) acknowledged that they were terminally ill, and 42.0% (73 of 174) reported that they thought their cancer was incurable. Conclusions: Patients with MM undergoing treatment experience impaired QOL and elevated psychological distress across the disease continuum, regardless of line of therapy. A substantial proportion of patients with MM have significant misperceptions about their prognosis and the curability of their illness despite reporting being informed of the prognosis by their oncologist. Lay Summary: This study discusses 180 patients with MM (newly diagnosed [n = 60], 2‐3 lines [n = 60], and ≥4 lines of therapy [n = 60]). Quality of life, symptom burden, and fatigue scores do not differ by lines of therapy. There are also no statistically significant differences in psychological distress by line of therapy. The rates of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms are 23.9%, 23.9%, and 24.4%, respectively. Most patients (84.7%) report that their oncologist told them their cancer was incurable, but only 30.6% acknowledge that they are terminally ill, and 42.0% report that they thought their cancer was incurable. Abstract : Patients with multiple myeloma undergoing treatment experience impaired quality of life and elevated psychological distress across the disease continuum. Although the majority reported that their oncologist had told them that their cancer is incurable, a substantial proportion still reported that they believed their cancer was curable.