Differential life expectancies and life years lost associated with multiple myeloma in the United States: a simulation modelling study

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) health disparities are well-documented, with non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and male individuals experiencing higher disease burdens than their non-Hispanic White (NHW) or female counterparts. However, no studies have shown that how these disparities translate into differences in life expectancy, particularly for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor to MM. This study quantified the remaining life years and life years lost associated with MGUS and MM to inform MM prevention and control priorities. Methods We developed a discrete-event simulation (DES) model of the natural history of MM, calibrated using nationally representative data on serologic-detected MGUS and registry-based MM. The model was stratified by race and gender (NHB/NHW men and women). Life years lost was computed as the difference in life years between populations without and with MGUS/MM. Results Remaining life years for MGUS/MM were 17.8/6.3 (95% prediction interval [PI]: 17.4-18.2/5.9-6.9) for NHB men, 20.1/7.7 (95% PI : 19.7-20.5/7.1-8.3) for NHB women, 20.9/7.3 (95% PI: 20.3-21.4/6.7-8.0) for NHW men, and 23.0/8.5 (95% PI: 22.5-23.6/7.7-9.4) for NHW women. Corresponding life years lost associated with MGUS/MM was 7.6/14.2 (95% PI: 7.3-8.0/13.3-15.1), 8.0/16.0 (95% PI: 7.7-8.4/15.0-17.0), 8.4/16.0 (95% PI: 8.0-8.9/14.7-17.3), and 8.8/18.1 (95% PI: 8.4-9.2/16.9-19.4), respectively. Conclusion Substantial racial and gender differences were identified and quantified in disease burden associated with MGUS and MM, which provides concrete targets for MM prevention and control efforts. Our findings underscore the need for tailored strategies to reduce MM disparities, e.g., enhancing disease monitoring among NHB populations and improving treatment adherence among men with MM.