Clinical features analysis of monoclonal immunoglobulinemia of undetermined significance transforming into multiple myeloma in the elderly

Abstract

Objective To study the time of monoclonal immunoglobulinemia of undetermined significance (MIUS) transforming into multiple myeloma (MM), and the changes of immunoglobulin level and the clinical features. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 22 patients with MM. According to the follow-up of immunoglobulin levels, patients were divided into formal and informal groups. The changes in immunoglobulin, serum calcium, hemoglobin and creatinine concentrations, and the time of MIUS transforming into MM were detected, and the impact of treatment on the prognosis was analyzed. Results The median age at diagnosis as MIUS was 69 years in formal group and 79 years in informal group. The median time for MIUS transforming into MM was 9.8 years in formal group and 1.3 years in informal group (P=0.006). The initial average concentration of immunoglobulin in patients with MIUS was 12.5 g/L (2.0-31.6 g/L) in informal group and 11.5 g/L (2.8-29.0 g/ L) in formal group (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in levels changes of immunoglobulin, serum calcium, hemoglobin, creatinine index before and after the outcome. The transfer time for MIUS transforming into multiple myeloma was 9.8 years and 9.7 years, and the survival time was 13.6 years and 13.5 years in patients with versus without treatment (P>0.05). Conclusions Regular formal follow-up can accurately assess the transfer time for MIUS to MM, and the transfer time is longer in formal groups than in informal group. The changes in concentrations of immune globulin, serum calcium, hemoglobin, and creatinine cannot serve as indicators for outcome evaluation. Drug treatment neither delays the progress time of MIUS to MM nor reduces the complications of MM and nor prolongs the survival time. Key words: Hypergamma-globulinemia; Multiple myeloma