[Clinicobiological and prognostic profiles of multiple myeloma: about 60 cases]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant bone marrow plasma cell dyscrasia, associated with the secretion of a monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig). The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, biological and prognostic features of a cohort of patients with multiple myeloma, whose data were collected at the Laboratory Department of Habib Thameur Hospital in Tunis. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of patients with MM in the Laboratory Department of Habib Thameur Hospital in Tunis over a period of 10 years (2003-2023). Data collection and analysis were performed using patient records and Microsoft Excel 2010 software. A total of 60 patients were included, with a mean age of 67.61 ± 8.7 years and a male-to-female ratio of 0.76. Bone pain was the most common presenting symptom, occurring in 75% of cases. Radiological abnormalities were identified in 50 patients (83%), predominantly affecting the spine (57%). Laboratory tests showed anemia in 74% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 17% of patients, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 90% of cases. Myelogram confirmed the diagnosis in 70% of cases. The monoclonal immunoglobulin identified was IgG in 62% of cases, IgA in 22%, IgM in 2%, and light chain in 12%, one patient presented with biclonal MM. According to the Durie and Salmon classification, the majority of patients (74%) were diagnosed at stage III. This study provides a better understanding of the epidemiological, clinical, and biological characteristics of MM. Despite significant advances made over the past two decades, multiple myeloma remains a disease with a poor prognosis.