Patient preferences explored in multiple myeloma treatment

(HealthDay)—An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≥2 is linked to lower treatment satisfaction in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but receiving medication orally is linked to higher satisfaction, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The Oncologist.

Ajai Chari, M.D., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and colleagues recruited 160 participants from online multiple myeloma patient groups to take a self-administered electronic survey on patient-reported outcome measures. Surveys included questions on study eligibility criteria, patient demographics, treatment background and satisfaction, and time burden of treatment.

The researchers found that an ECOG performance status of ≥2 was linked to lower patient satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of their treatment. However, receiving treatment orally was linked to 17-point higher scores on the convenience scale, compared with patients who received at least one treatment via injection. The time per month patients spent receiving treatment was also a significant predictor of convenience, with longer treatment time leading to lower convenience scores.

"Despite the increasing number of therapeutic choices available for RRMM and routine mention of taking into account patient preferences in treatment selection, there is a dearth of evidence-based data on these patient preferences in RRMM," the authors write. "The present study begins to bridge the gap between patient satisfaction and the burden of RRMM treatment to better inform treatment decision making."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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