Objective
The direct cost of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is documented; indirect costs are being explored. Healthcare payers seek cost‐offsets from therapies that improve clinical outcomes but challenge budgets; employers seek lower absenteeism and better productivity. Study goals were to: (i) identify direct and indirect economic factors of RRMM, and (ii) explore longitudinal relationships between clinical, economic, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments.
Methods
Economic questionnaire, clinical, and HRQoL data from a multisite, international, randomized, controlled study in RRMM were analyzed.
Results
Patients (n=263) were 53.6% male, 91.6% Caucasian; mean age of 62.9 years, median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status of 1 (56.3%). Moderate to severe pain or fatigue was reported by 30.4% and 70.6%, respectively. At baseline, ≥1 hospitalization was reported by 107 (41.8%); 182 (71.1%) and 86 (33.6%) reported specialist and family physician visits, respectively. A total of 28 (10.8%) were working: 10 (37.0%) of which reported RRMM‐driven absenteeism ≥1 day. Of those who were not working, 110 (48.2%) indicated that it was due to RRMM. Multivariate modeling showed lower hospitalization with a major tumor response (β=−1.44, CI: −2.89 to 0.01, P=.05).
Conclusions
Substantial RRMM indirect, social costs were observed. Better major tumor response may reduce hospital visits.