Prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients with multiple myeloma : a retrospective analysis of 86 patients

• Published in: South African medical journal Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 65 - 67
• Main Authors: RAPOPORT, B. L, FALKSON, H. C, FALKSON, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pinelands Medical Association of South Africa 19.01.1991
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium - blood; Creatinine - blood; Female; Health Status; Hemoglobins - analysis; Humans; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma - blood; Multiple Myeloma - mortality; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Serum Albumin - analysis; Survival Rate; Time Factors; Tropical medicine; Human; Immunopathology; Prognosis; Immunoglobulinopathy; Africa; South Africa; Hemopathy; Myeloma; Survival
• ISSN: 0256-9574

A retrospective analysis of data concerning 86 patients with multiple myeloma was carried out in order to evaluate factors affecting survival. The overall median survival was 621 days. In a univariate analysis the following factors were significantly associated with poor survival: serum creatinine greater than or equal to 150 mmol/l, haemoglobin less than 11 g/dl and serum calcium values greater than 2.75 mmol/l; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3-4. However, age, sex, Durie and Salmon staging, lytic lesions, serum immunoglobulin concentration, urine Bence Jones protein, percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow, proteinuria, and type of chemotherapy given were not significantly associated with survival. A strong prediction of survival was found by grouping the serum creatinine and haemoglobin levels of patients at presentation.