How anxiety, depression, and unmet patient needs impact the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma

This study looked at how anxiety and depression influence the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma. The study concluded that anxiety, depression, and unmet patient needs negatively impact the physical and emotional well-being of patients.

Multiple myeloma is a common type of cancer in older adults. The average age at diagnosis is 71 years old. Patients often must undergo rigorous and tiring treatments for their cancer. Patients may have unmet needs or experience depression and anxiety. These can negatively impact other parts of their life.

It is unclear the exact role that anxiety, depression, and unmet patient needs have on quality of life (QoL). More research is needed to determine how patient QoL is impacted by anxiety, depression, and unmet patient needs. 

Patients with multiple myeloma were twice contacted to complete a QoL survey. 791 patients with multiple myeloma completed the survey. (983 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma also completed the surveys.)  The first survey was given on average 7 months after initial diagnosis. The second survey was given on average 8.5 months after the first survey. 258 patients completed both surveys.

On the first survey, 15% of patients experienced anxiety. 18% of patients experienced depression. 30% said that they had unmet psychological and emotional needs. 30% said that they had unmet daily living needs. 11% said that they had an unmet patient care need.

There was an association between anxiety, depression, and unmet supportive needs mentioned on the first survey and a lower quality of life score at the time of the second survey. 

The authors concluded that patients have worse physical and emotional well-being in later months when they have unmet care needs, anxiety, and depression during treatment. 

Please discuss with your doctor ways to monitor and address feelings of anxiety and depression during your treatment.