title: Self-Reported Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Ambulatory Patients With Multiple Myeloma on Disease-Modifying Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge of health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple myeloma on disease-modifying treatments is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) Determine symptom prevalence in patients with multiple myeloma on disease-modifying treatment. Identify the range and nature of these symptoms within the dimensions of physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being. (2) Measure self-reported QoL. (3) Compare the above-mentioned parameters to the general population and patients with advanced cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with multiple myeloma on disease-modifying treatment, attending the hematology day unit in a tertiary referral center from November 2012 to January 2013, were eligible for inclusion in a cross-sectional quantitative survey. Consenting patients completed 2 validated questionnaires, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) supplemented by the myeloma-specific module (EORTC QLQ-MY20) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Score (HADS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one patients were included for analysis: 59% were male and 41% were female. Mean age was 63.7 years (range 46-86, standard deviation 11.24). The QoL scores were significantly lower than the general population and comparable to those with advanced cancer. The most commonly reported physical symptoms were pain (66%), fatigue (63%), and dyspnea (51%). About 54% of the patients were burdened by financial worries. Anxiety (30%) and depression (37%) were prevalent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with myeloma on disease-modifying treatment have a lower QoL than the general population and are symptomatic across physical, psychological, financial, and social domains. A holistic approach to patient care is warranted, and patients may benefit from specialist palliative care input.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, Curraheen, Cork, Ireland.|2 Department of Haematology, Dunmanway Day Unit, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiely
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, Curraheen, Cork, Ireland.|2 Department of Haematology, Dunmanway Day Unit, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cran
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, Curraheen, Cork, Ireland.|2 Department of Haematology, Dunmanway Day Unit, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Finnerty
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, Curraheen, Cork, Ireland.|2 Department of Haematology, Dunmanway Day Unit, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: EORTC QLQ-C30; EORTC QLQ-MY20; hematology; multiple myeloma; palliative; quality of life; symptom; treatment