Psychosocial Functioning, Quality of Life, Depressive Symptoms, and Meaning in Life in Older Adults with Multiple Myeloma: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Older adults with multiple myeloma (MM) contend with multifaceted physical, psychological, and existential challenges that may compromise quality of life (QoL). This study examined associations between physical symptom burden, functional capacity, depression severity, meaning in life, and QoL in older adults with MM. (2) Methods: Fifty outpatients (mean age = 67.7 ± 8.8 years) completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, PHQ-9, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). QoL was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included physical symptom burden (fatigue and pain), functioning domains, depression severity, and meaning in life. Internal consistency of all instruments was satisfactory (Cronbach's α > 0.70). Analysis and associations among variables were done using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients (<i>p</i> < 0.05). (3) Results: Participants reported high global QoL and preserved functioning. Fatigue and pain were most strongly associated with lower global QoL. Greater depression severeness, although mild, was correlated with higher physical symptom burden and poorer functioning. Higher Presence of Meaning was related to better QoL and lower depression severity, whereas Search for Meaning showed no significant associations. Women reported greater physical symptom burden than men. (4) Conclusions: In older adults with MM, QoL appears to be linked to interrelated physical, psychological, functional, and existential factors. Fatigue, pain, depression severity, and established meaning in life were identified as clinically relevant correlates, highlighting targets for integrated supportive care.

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Publication Details

Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Published
2026-02-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23030289
Primary Topic
Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
Type
article
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article

Psychosocial Functioning, Quality of Life, Depressive Symptoms, and Meaning in Life in Older Adults with Multiple Myeloma: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lucas Santos Lotério, Vitoria Fernandes Andreossi, Maria Isabel Ayrosa Madeira, Manoel Antônio Santos et al.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
article

Psychosocial Functioning, Quality of Life, Depressive Symptoms, and Meaning in Life in Older Adults with Multiple Myeloma: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lucas Santos Lotério, Vitoria Fernandes Andreossi, Maria Isabel Ayrosa Madeira, Manoel Antônio Santos, Érika Arantes Oliveira-Cardoso, Jorge Henrique Corrêa Santos, Virginia Comazzetto Tabuzo, Maria Antônia Souza Oliveira, Pedro Manoel Marques Garibaldi
article en

Abstract

(1) Background: Older adults with multiple myeloma (MM) contend with multifaceted physical, psychological, and existential challenges that may compromise quality of life (QoL). This study examined associations between physical symptom burden, functional capacity, depression severity, meaning in life, and QoL in older adults with MM. (2) Methods: Fifty outpatients (mean age = 67.7 ± 8.8 years) completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, PHQ-9, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). QoL was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included physical symptom burden (fatigue and pain), functioning domains, depression severity, and meaning in life. Internal consistency of all instruments was satisfactory (Cronbach's α > 0.70). Analysis and associations among variables were done using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients (<i>p</i> < 0.05). (3) Results: Participants reported high global QoL and preserved functioning. Fatigue and pain were most strongly associated with lower global QoL. Greater depression severeness, although mild, was correlated with higher physical symptom burden and poorer functioning. Higher Presence of Meaning was related to better QoL and lower depression severity, whereas Search for Meaning showed no significant associations. Women reported greater physical symptom burden than men. (4) Conclusions: In older adults with MM, QoL appears to be linked to interrelated physical, psychological, functional, and existential factors. Fatigue, pain, depression severity, and established meaning in life were identified as clinically relevant correlates, highlighting targets for integrated supportive care.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthVol. 23(3)
Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (BR), Fundação Hemopa (BR), Clinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto (BR)
No poverty
Openalex Percentile: Top 42%
Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
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