Race- and health-related quality of life among patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

e18556 Background: Studies in the United States (US) have identified variation in incidence and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients of different races, and noted that MM is the most common hematologic cancer among African Americans. This analysis evaluated whether health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients in the US varies by race as they initiate treatment having been newly diagnosed with active, symptomatic MM. Methods: Data were collected in Connect MM, a prospective US observational registry begun in September 2009. Data on patient demographics and clinical characteristics were provided by clinicians. HRQOL was reported by patients at enrollment within 2 months of diagnosis. Patients completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), EQ-5D, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Multiple Myeloma (FACT-MM). Mean reported scores for BPI, EQ-5D and FACT-MM were analyzed by patient race. Statistical significance was ascertained by ANOVA using SAS 9.1. Results: Baseline HRQOL data were reported ...