Associations of Baseline Cognitive and Psychosocial Function with Clinical Outcomes After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in a Multiple Myeloma Sample

Background/Objectives: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains a standard frontline treatment for eligible patients with multiple myeloma and is associated with improved progression-free survival and sustained treatment responses. In addition to medical eligibility factors, pre-treatment psychosocial variables such as depression and anxiety as well as cognitive functioning may influence short- and long-term transplant outcomes. This study examined the relationship between pre-transplant psychosocial and cognitive functioning and clinical outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing ASCT.

Methods

Participants (n = 245) undergoing a standardized protocol for ASCT in Miami, Florida received pre-transplant psychosocial and neuropsychological assessments. Patient-reported clinical variables and cognitive performance were related to transplant success and transplant recovery outcomes, including time to engraftment, length of hospital stay post-engraftment, and survival across four timepoints.