[Renal insufficiency in myelomatosis. Prognostic factors and survival]

Clinical features, occurrence and reversibility of renal failure, response to treatment and survival duration in 190 multiple myeloma patients were reviewed in a retrospective study based on hospital records. Renal failure was present in 27% of the patients and constituted an important prognostic factor. Reversibility of renal failure occurred in 52% of the patients and was more frequent in those with low serum creatinine, hypercalcaemia, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high level of IgA. Response to chemotherapy resulted in a prolonged survival, whereas recovery of renal function did not significantly affect survival.