title: Development of a conceptual model to illustrate the impact of multiple myeloma and its treatment on health-related quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little qualitative research exploring the impact of multiple myeloma (MM) and its treatment on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients has been published. This study aimed to explore the burden of MM symptoms and treatment and the impact of these on HRQL. A model was developed to illustrate key concepts and their interrelationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with MM were recruited to this cross-sectional, qualitative study through a patient panel and at two clinical sites in the USA. An interview discussion guide was developed using a review of published literature and interviews with experienced MM clinicians. In-depth, semistructured telephone interviews with MM patients were conducted to explore their experiences of the disease and its treatment. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty MM patients at various stages of treatment participated in open-ended, semistructured interviews. Patients reported both current and previous MM symptoms; most had experienced fatigue and pain. Other commonly reported symptoms were fractures, anemia, neuropathy, aches, and infections. MM treatment was found to have a negative impact on patients' HRQL; treatment-related adverse events included fatigue, neuropathy, insomnia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. MM treatment placed a substantial psychological and physical burden on patients, disrupting social activities, decreasing independence, and impacting on relationships. A model was developed to illustrate the relationship between these concepts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conceptual model developed in this study illustrates the many aspects of MM and its treatment and how they can have a negative impact on patients' HRQL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA, rachid.baz@moffitt.org.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baz
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: A-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Colson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gallop
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swinburn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laubach
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents