Purpose: Data on multiple myeloma (MM) in sub-Sahara Africa is scarce.
In Uganda, there is a progressively increasing incidence of MM over the
years. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 217 patients with
MM at the UCI using purposive sampling method. The objectives of the
study were to determine the clinical characteristics, treatment
outcomes, 5 year overall survival and predictors of survival of
patients with MM at the UCI from 01 January 2008 to 31 December 2012.
Results: There were 119 (54.8%) males; the mean(SD) age of the study
population at presentation was 59(12.8) years; 183(84.3%) patients
presented with bone pain, and 135 (61.9%) had skeletal pathology;
186(85.3%) were HIV negative, and 152(70%) had Durie-Salmon stage III.
The median overall survival was 2.5 years, (95% CI, 0.393-0.595);
factors significantly associated with worse survival were Durie-Salmon
stage III disease, HR=5.9, 95% CI (1.61 \u2013 21.74; P=0.007) and LDH
>225 U/L HR=3.3, 95% CI (0.57 \u2013 5.92; P=0.029). Conclusion:
Most patients with multiple myeloma at the UCI were diagnosed at a
relatively young age, presented with late stage disease and bone pain,
and had a shorter survival time. Factors associated with worse survival
were Durie-Salmon stage III and LDH >225 U/L