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    Imaging, QoL and Patient-Reported Outcome and Supportive Care

    Category: Imaging, QoL and Patient-Reported Outcome and Supportive Care

    Predicting Early Mortality Risk in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients

    (PA-137) Predicting Early Mortality Risk in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients

    Thursday, September 18, 2025
    • CL

      Chia-Jen Liu, n/a

      Director
      Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital


    Introduction:      The overall survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has markedly improved over the last three decades with the widespread adoption of novel agents. However, a subset of newly diagnosed MM patients continues to experience early mortality. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with early mortality in patients with MM.

    Methods:   We included consecutive patients with newly diagnosed MM at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan between November 1, 2002 and April 30, 2025. Patients lacking histopathologic confirmation were excluded. Early mortality was defined as death occurring within 60 days of initial diagnosis. Risk factors for mortality were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The variables with a p-value < 0.1 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate model.

    Results:   During the 22-year study period, a total of 754 patients with newly diagnosed MM were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 68 years (range 23–97 years) and 59.4% were male. Early mortality occurred in 79 patients (10.5%). In the multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2 (adjusted hazard ratios [HR] 3.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.86–5.81), male sex (adjusted HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.42–4.70), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥ 2 (adjusted HR 6.72, 95% CI 3.23–13.97), platelet count < 100,000/µl (adjusted HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.20–3.58), and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (adjusted HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.02–2.98) were identified as independent predictors of early mortality.

    Conclusions:   The early mortality rate remains high (10.5%) in patients with MM. Low BMI, male sex, ECOG performance status ≥ 2, thrombocytopenia, and elevated LDH levels are associated with an increased risk of early mortality. Identification of high-risk patients warrants targeted efforts to develop strategies for prevention, early detection, and effective management to mitigate risk.