In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), several factors, including depression and impairment of physical function, are linked with worse cognition, according to a study published in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia. However, only baseline cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) status and education level predicted future decline. Zev M. Nakamura, MD, and colleagues evaluated cognitive function in 104 adults with MM (mean age, 67) using the EORTC QLQ-C30 Cognitive Function subscale. Patient-reported CRCI was observed in 18% of participants at enrollment, 21% at 3 months, and 30% at 6 months. Worse cognitive function was reported in patients with impaired physical function (P=0.002), performance status (P=0.04), or instrumental activities of daily living (P=0.02), as well as in those who were depressed (P=0.049) and pre-frail/frail (P=0.02).
