Health-related quality of life and patients' perceptions in interferon-treated multiple myeloma patients

The effect of interferon on the health-related quality of life in multiple myeloma was assessed in two trials carried out by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG). In both trials, the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, supplemented with 11 items relating to interferon toxicity, was used. The first was a r andomized controlled trial (NMSG 4/90) evaluating the addition of interfero n alpha -2b to melphalan and prednisone during induction, maintenance and r elapse. During the first 12 months, patients on interferon reported more ch ills, fever, fatigue, pain, nausea/vomiting, appetite loss and dry skin tha n the control patients, and a slight reduction of global health and quality of life. From 12 months onward there were no significant differences in an y score between the two groups. In a later trial (NMSG 5/94) evaluating the effect of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support in patients under 60 years of age with newly diagnosed myeloma, interferon was used as mainte nance. During the maintenance phase, symptom and toxicity scores were not s ignificantly different from those in control patients under 60 years of age in the previous trial. Thus, interferon appeared to be well tolerated afte r high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support.