Pattern of multiple myeloma in Kenyans

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy affecting plasma cells.
• Previous literature suggested myeloma was infrequent in indigenous African populations.
• Understanding the disease's presentation and prognosis in diverse populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical characteristics and diagnostic findings of multiple myeloma in Kenyan Africans.
• To assess the frequency of myeloma in this population.
• To identify factors associated with a poor prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 75 myeloma patients diagnosed at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.
• Data collected included demographics, clinical symptoms, radiological findings (X-ray skeletal survey), and laboratory results (ESR, albumin, urea, creatinine, etc.).
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine associations between clinical factors and prognosis.

Main Results:

• The study included 75 patients with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1 and a mean age of 51.5 years.
• Common presenting features included anemia (81.3%), osteolytic lesions (80%), bone pain (66.7%), and elevated ESR (77.3%).
• Significant findings associated with poor prognosis (p<0.05) were hypoalbuminemia, elevated blood urea, hyperuricemia, and elevated serum creatinine.

Conclusions:

• Multiple myeloma is not infrequent in indigenous Kenyan Africans.
• The clinical presentation shares similarities with other populations, with a characteristic diagnostic tetrad.
• Hypoalbuminemia and renal impairment are significant indicators of poor prognosis in this cohort.