OBJECTIVES: We compared patient-reported satisfaction, productivity, and burden of illness with oral vs injectable therapy in NDMM.

METHODS: Patients were recruited from PatientsLikeMe, MyelomaCrowd, and Facebook. Eligible US patients were: ≥ 18 years, on current treatment without any prior change in therapy due to progression, without amyloidosis, and without other cancers. The cross-sectional electronic survey included: Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment - Specific Health Problem, and burden of illness questions. Outcomes of interest were compared between all-oral (oral users) or injectable therapy with or without oral medication (injectable users). Adjusted analyses were controlled for age, gender, race and frailty.

RESULTS: Among 176 patients, mean age was 61 years, 38% were male, 86% were Caucasian, and 27% had ECOG-PS: 2+. Patients using oral vs injectable agents comprised 44% (78/176) and 56% (98/176), respectively. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the groups. Adjusted means were comparable for treatment effectiveness (72 vs 71, p=0.72), and global satisfaction (54 vs 57, p=0.18) of the TSQM, but a trend toward greater convenience of treatment among patients using oral vs injectable agents was observed (81 vs. 76, p=0.06). Patient activity impairment was lower among patients using oral vs injectable agents (33% vs. 43%, p <0.05). Lower adjusted mean number of monthly clinic visits (1.2 vs 3.4, p<0.001), adjusted mean monthly travel and clinic visit time (minutes; patient: 185 vs 458, p<0.01; and caregiver: 58 vs 326, p<0.05) and estimated monthly per patient cost (sum of patient/caregiver travel and clinic visit value of time, and visit copay/parking) $150 vs $322 (p<0.01) were reported among patients using oral vs injectable agents.

CONCLUSIONS: In NDMM, an all-oral regimen is associated with lower economic burden of illness and less activity impairment than an injectable regimen, and a trend towards greater treatment convenience.