OBJECTIVES: Patient comorbidity remains a challenge for determining optimal therapy for Multiple Myeloma (MM). We look towards a real-world data cohort of adult newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients to characterize demography and comorbidity in this group and assess the effects of comorbidity on overall survival.

METHODS: This retrospective study used de-identified electronic health records for Multiple Myeloma patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2023 from UK NHS partners collated as part of the Arcturis Data Platform. NDMM patients were identified as having those with a first primary diagnosis code for MM (ICD-10: C90.0). Patients with any malignancy occurring up to 6 months prior to MM diagnosis were excluded. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) at time of MM diagnosis was based on all comorbid diagnoses in the 3 years prior to MM diagnosis. A Cox regression model was used to assess the impact of CCI at diagnosis on 8-year overall survival when adjusting for age and sex.

RESULTS: A total of 1294 NDMM were identified, with mean age of 69 years (SD 12); with race including 67.9% White, 3.6% Black, 3.2% Mixed and 2.4% Asian. 783 (60.5%) patients were male, and the mean deprivation index was 7.57 (standard deviation 2.31). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (36.2%), followed by acute renal failure (20.4%). Most patients had a CCI of 0 (64.7%), 26.0% were mildly comorbid (CCI 1-2), 9% were moderately/severely comorbid (CC1 3+). After adjusting for age and sex, relative to patients with no comorbidities, those with mild CCI indicated a non-significant increase in risk of mortality (HR 1.25; 95% CI 0.99-1.57), whilst those with severe CCI indicated a significant increase in risk of mortality (HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.15-2.14).

CONCLUSIONS: Multi-morbid MM patients continue to be at increased risk of poorer outcomes and further research to understand optimal management remains an area of unmet clinical need.