Cohort study identifies racial disparities in systemic therapy initiation and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma, highlighting urgent intervention needs.
Key Points
This study evaluates racial disparities in treatment initiation and early outcomes among patients with multiple myeloma.
Retrospective cohort study using TriNetX database
Included adults diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2017 and 2024
Stratified patients by race (Black, White, Asian)
Performed propensity score matching based on demographic and health factors
Analyzed outcomes including systemic therapy initiation, hospitalizations, and mortality.
Black patients were less likely to initiate systemic therapy within 60 days (25.1% vs. 28.1%)
Lower rates of stem cell transplant within 1 year for Black patients (11.4% vs. 15.9%)
Higher hospitalization rates were observed in Black patients (30-day: 25.1% vs. 20.1%)
Asian patients had higher early mortality rates but lower transplant rates compared to White patients.