OBJECTIVES: To assess patient perceptions regarding multiple myeloma (MM) and its treatment among newly diagnosed (ND) and relapsed-refractory (RR) MM patients in the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany.

METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with RRMM and transplant-eligible or transplant-ineligible NDMM patients. Using a semi-structured guide, the interviews focused on patients’ perception of their disease symptoms, treatment benefits and side effects, and treatment burden. Trade-offs between treatment risks versus benefits were explored using hypothetical vignettes. Content analysis was used to systematically analyze the transcribed qualitative data.

RESULTS: Thirty patients (12 NDMM transplant eligible; 6 NDMM transplant ineligible; and 12 RRMM) were interviewed between June and September 2019. Mean age was 60.3 years, 50% were female, and 27% were employed. Commonly reported symptoms were bone pain (90%), fatigue/tiredness (87%), peripheral neuropathy described as tingling hands/feet/restless legs (30%), and infections (27%). Important treatment benefits included increased life expectancy (87%), improved remission/response (80%), reduced fatigue (80%) and reduced worry (73%), and improved independence (70%). Side effects that concerned patients varied by disease stage; peripheral neuropathy was reported by 92% of RRMM patients; cognitive impairment was a concern for 94% of NDMM patients. Patients highlighted influential treatment burdens, including treatment duration among patients in Germany (90%) and UK (83%), and travel among patients in France (88%). Patients understood the concepts in the hypothetical vignettes, and most patients expressed a willingness to tolerate some risk of severe adverse events for treatment benefits.

CONCLUSIONS: MM patients identified bone pain, fatigue/tiredness, peripheral neuropathy, and infections as important disease symptoms, increased life expectancy as an important treatment benefit, and peripheral neuropathy and cognitive impairment as side effects of concern. These findings reinforce the importance of considering patients’ perceptions in treatment decisions.