Falls in older adults with multiple myeloma

To examine the prevalence of falls, factors associated with falls and the relationship between falls and survival in older adults with multiple myeloma.

In an analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS)-linked database, we examined 405 older adults with multiple myeloma (MM) and 513 matched non-cancer controls. The primary outcome was self-reported within the past 12 months. Age, race, gender, symptoms, and comorbidities were self-reported in the MHOS. Survival was calculated from SEER data.

Of the patients with MM, 171 were within 1 year of diagnosis (cohort 1) and 234 were ≥1 year postdiagnosis (cohort 2). Patients in cohorts 1 and 2 were more likely to have fallen than controls (26% and 33% vs 23%, P = .012). On multivariate analysis, among patients with myeloma (combined cohorts 1 and 2), factors associated with falls included self-report of fatigue (aOR 2.52 [95% CI 1.34-4.93]), depression (aOR 1.90 [95% CI 1.14-3.18]), or poorer general health (aOR 1.86 [95% CI 1.05-3.36]). Falls were not associated with survival.

Older adults with MM have a greater prevalence of falls than matched controls. Self-reported fatigue, depression, and poorer general health are associated with greater odds of falls.