Predictors of Depression in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood that MM patients will experience depression. This study examined the impact of demographic variables and well-being domains as risk factors for depression. MM patients (N = 140) were recruited from support groups and online social media platforms. Participants' mean age was 67 years with a mean of 7.5 years since diagnosis. The sample was 43% male and 57% female, with 91% identifying as White. Overall, 15% of participants reported experiencing significant depression symptoms. Results indicated significant negative relationships between sexual satisfaction, physical well-being, functional well-being, financial well-being, HRQoL and depression symptoms. Additionally, there was a significant positive relationship between the experience of bone pain and depression symptoms. Female participants reported significantly more depression symptoms than male participants, although the effect size for the difference was small. Younger participants reported significantly more depression symptoms than older participants and the effect size for the difference was large. Further analyses indicated that the socioemotional elements of well-being accounted for incremental variance in depression above and beyond symptom burden. The current study provided novel information about risk factors for depression in MM patients. It clarified the impact of age and gender as risk factors for depression in this population. Together, these findings may be advantageous for clinicians as they develop strategies for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of depression in MM patients.