Quality of Life Among Polish Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND The quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma is an important parameter in the assessment of patient condition. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life among Polish patients with multiple myeloma. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in 4 Polish centers from August 2020 to December 2021 using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) in paper and electronic versions. The patients were divided into groups based on their treatment method (chemotherapy, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [autoHSCT], or supportive therapy), age, and sex. RESULTS Responses were obtained from the patients during chemotherapy (n=98), after autoHSCT (n=87), and during supportive therapy following completion of treatment to maintain disease remission (n=61). For the entire study population, the highest scores were recorded for social functioning (M=65.718, SD=23.886) and emotional functioning (M=60.467, SD=22.353). Fatigue was the most burdensome symptom reported by patients (M=59.937, SD=22.546). Older patients reported lower quality of life and more severe disease-related symptoms. Patient sex did not have a statistically significant effect on most of the analyzed parameters. Patients receiving supportive therapy had the highest level of quality of life (P<0.001) and the lowest severity of most symptoms (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this study, the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma was found to be linked to treatment method and patient age.