Early mortality in elderly patients undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma in real-world practice

Objectives This study was performed to analyze the risk factors for early mortality (EM) in elderly patients undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) in real-world clinical practice. Methods Retrospective data from 108 elderly patients who were newly diagnosed with MM from January 2007 to July 2015 were analyzed in a single hematology center. EM was defined as death of any cause within 12 months after diagnosis. A multivariate regression model was used to evaluate EM. Results EM occurred in 16 (14.8%) elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM. The most common cause of death was infection (10/16, 62.5%). In the multivariate analysis, only an age of 75 years, International Staging System (ISS) stage III disease, and high lactate dehydrogenase concentration were significantly and independently associated with EM. Conclusion Our results suggest that infection is the leading cause of EM in elderly patients with MM. An age of 75 years, ISS stage III disease, and a high lactate dehydrogenase concentration are significant predictors of EM. We should further target this higher-risk patient population to define personalized therapy with which to improve outcomes.