Multiple myeloma: unplanned diagnostic pathways and association with risk factors and survival - a nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Multiple myeloma is often diagnosed unexpectedly, particularly in patients with high comorbidity or advanced disease. Diagnoses through unplanned pathways are linked to poorer survival outcomes, highlighting the need for earlier detection strategies.
Area Of Science
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background
- Multiple myeloma frequently presents with non-specific symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis.
- A significant proportion of multiple myeloma cases are diagnosed through unplanned, often acute, care pathways.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the characteristics of multiple myeloma diagnoses within unplanned diagnostic pathways.
- To explore the association between unplanned diagnosis and patient factors, disease profile, and survival outcomes.
Main Methods
- A nationwide, register-based study was conducted in Denmark from 2014 to 2018.
- Patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma were categorized based on whether their diagnosis occurred via an unplanned pathway (acute admission within 30 days prior).
- Unplanned pathways were compared against all other diagnostic pathways.
Main Results
- 32% of 2,213 multiple myeloma patients were diagnosed via an unplanned pathway.
- Factors associated with unplanned diagnosis included high comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index 3+), no prior cancer history, few general practitioner visits, myeloma complications, high-risk cytogenetics, and advanced stage.
- Patients diagnosed via unplanned pathways exhibited inferior survival (hazard ratio 1.44), though this was not significant for long-term survivors.
Conclusions
- High comorbidity, advanced disease, and complications are linked to unplanned multiple myeloma diagnoses.
- Unplanned diagnostic pathways are associated with reduced survival for multiple myeloma patients.
- Strategies promoting earlier detection and reducing unplanned diagnoses may improve patient survival.
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