Abstract
Objectives
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable haematological disease. Due to novel agents, overall survival has improved in this group, yet there are no systematic reviews to understand the symptom profiles resulting from disease and treatment-related toxicities. We aimed to synthesise data on the prevalence of symptoms in patients with MM.
Methods
A systematic database and grey literature search were conducted in six databases. Random-effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting to pool prevalence data was performed.
Results
Thirty-six studies were included of which 34 studies (N = 3023) provided data for meta-analysis. Twenty-seven distinct symptoms were reported, with the majority of studies focusing on pain (n = 27), fatigue (n = 19) and problems with functioning (n = 15). The most prevalent symptoms were fatigue (98.8%, 95% CI 98.1–99.2%), pain (73%, 39.9–91.7), constipation (65.2%, 22.9–92.2) and tingling in the hands/feet with 53.4% (0.4–99.7). The most common problems were decreased physical functioning (98.9%, 98.2–99.3), decreased cognitive functioning (80.2%, 40–96.1) and financial difficulties (78.4%, 39.1–95.4). These problems were present in newly diagnosed to advanced disease stage.
Conclusions
Optimal quality of life and good symptom management in this incurable disease can only be achieved by routinely assessing symptoms throughout the disease trajectory.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable haematological disease. Due to novel agents, overall survival has improved in this group, yet there are no systematic reviews to understand the symptom profiles resulting from disease and treatment-related toxicities. We aimed to synthesise data on the prevalence of symptoms in patients with MM.
Methods
A systematic database and grey literature search were conducted in six databases. Random-effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting to pool prevalence data was performed.
Results
Thirty-six studies were included of which 34 studies (N = 3023) provided data for meta-analysis. Twenty-seven distinct symptoms were reported, with the majority of studies focusing on pain (n = 27), fatigue (n = 19) and problems with functioning (n = 15). The most prevalent symptoms were fatigue (98.8%, 95% CI 98.1–99.2%), pain (73%, 39.9–91.7), constipation (65.2%, 22.9–92.2) and tingling in the hands/feet with 53.4% (0.4–99.7). The most common problems were decreased physical functioning (98.9%, 98.2–99.3), decreased cognitive functioning (80.2%, 40–96.1) and financial difficulties (78.4%, 39.1–95.4). These problems were present in newly diagnosed to advanced disease stage.
Conclusions
Optimal quality of life and good symptom management in this incurable disease can only be achieved by routinely assessing symptoms throughout the disease trajectory.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 416–429 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | European journal of haematology |
| Volume | 97 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 6 Sept 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2016 |
Keywords
- multiple myeloma, symptom burden, signs and symptoms, systematic review, prevalence