Last update:
   16-Mar-2026
 

Arch Hellen Med, 43(3), May-June 2026, 363-370

ORIGINAL PAPER

Changes in quality of life and symptoms of patients with multiple myeloma,
before and after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Ι. Tsatsou,1 M. Nikolopoulou,2 M. Nikoloudi,3 M.K. Angelopoulou,2 M. Tolia,4 K. Mystakidou3
1One Day Clinic, Hellenic Air Force General Hospital, Athens
2Department of Hematology, National and Kapodistrian University, "Laikon" General Hospital, Athens
3Unit of Pain Relief and Palliative Care, Department of Radiology, "Areteion" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
4Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of life (QoL) and the reported symptoms of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) before and after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT).

METHOD A prospective and longitudinal study was conducted between September 2015 and December 2016. The study sample consisted of MM patients who were scheduled to undergo AHSCT. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer scale was used to assess patients' QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30, version 3.0) and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) to record patients' symptoms. Patients completed the questionnaires at two time points, before (after the end of the induction treatment) and one month after AHSCT.

RESULTS The sample consisted of 83 MM patients who underwent AHSCT (response rate: 69.2%). Patients' mean age was 60±4 years and 70% were men. Patients received induction regimens, with the combinations based on international protocols applied in the treatment of MM. Preparation for AHSCT was performed using the alkylating agent melphalan. The quality of life significantly improved after the AHSCT, based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale, except for the symptom of diarrhea which remained unchanged (p=1.000). Overall, a statistically significant improvement in both MDASI subscales (p<0.001) was observed after AHSCT. The emotional functioning (p=0.083) subscale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 was associated with gender and social functioning (p=0.037) and pain subscales (p=0.059) were associated with marital status.

CONCLUSIONS Patients' overall QoL and symptoms improved after AHSCT. This reflects positively on the overall outcome of their chronic disease. There is always a need to systematically evaluate the effects of MM and AHSCT on patients' QoL, in order to adequately meet their needs.

Key words: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Multiple myeloma, Patients, Quality of life, Symptoms.

© Archives of Hellenic Medicine