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The mediator role of unmet needs on quality of life in myeloma patients

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Abstract

Purpose

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) has a significant impact on patients. This study analyzed the mediating role of patients’ unmet needs in the relationship between psychological morbidity/social support and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

This study included 213 patients with MM recruited from the outpatient medical oncology and clinical hematology services from five hospitals. Patients who meet the study criteria were referred by physicians and invited to participate in the study by the researcher. All participants answered the following questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Satisfaction with Social Support Scale, Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey, and The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer’s Multiple Myeloma Module. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and structural equation modeling were performed to analyze the data.

Results

The indirect effect of psychological morbidity on patients’ future perspectives (MYFP) was partially mediated by information unmet needs (INF), while the indirect effect of psychological morbidity on treatment side effects (MYSE) was partially mediated by relationship and emotional unmet needs (REH). In turn, the indirect effect of psychological morbidity on disease symptoms (MYDS) was fully mediated by REH. Social support had an indirect effect on MYDS and MYSE fully mediated by REH.

Conclusion

Intervention programs tailored to promote MM patients’ QoL should specifically address information and emotional needs, raising awareness and training health professionals, caregivers, and family members to attend  MM patients’ unmet needs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the medical staff, nurses, and patients’ caregivers, as well as the Boards of Directors from the institutions involved and all the patients for their support in the present study.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Portuguese Association against Leukemia and the Portuguese Association of Leukemias and Lymphomas funded by Celgene.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

    M. G. Pereira, M. Vilaça, M. Pereira & G. Ferreira

  2. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    S. Monteiro

  3. Centro Hospitalar de V.N. Gaia/Espinho, Gaia, Portugal

    H. Coelho

  4. Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (ICBR), Coimbra, Portugal

    C. Geraldes

  5. Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    C. Gonçalves

  6. Myeloma Clinic, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal

    F. Leal da Costa

  7. Hospital de Braga, Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Association (2CA-Braga), Braga, Portugal

    H. Marques

  8. Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal

    R. Bacalhau

  9. Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    S. Monteiro & H. Marques

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  1. M. G. Pereira
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Correspondence to M. G. Pereira.

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Pereira, M.G., Vilaça, M., Pereira, M. et al. The mediator role of unmet needs on quality of life in myeloma patients. Qual Life Res 29, 2641–2650 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02511-8

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