A Comparative Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Through an Outpatient and Inpatient Model

Outpatient autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has proven to be feasible in terms of physical morbidity and mortality outcomes, but little data exist on the impact of this procedure on quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study was to compare the effects of inpatient (n = 76) and outpatient (n = 64) modes of care on QoL in patients with multiple myeloma who underwent ASCT. Patients were treated according to their preference for the inpatient or outpatient model. QoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation (FACT-BMT) at baseline (7 days before ASCT; T1) and at days +7 (T2) and +30 (T3) after ASCT. Overall, inpatients achieved higher mean values at each time point (86.05 ± 15.54 at T1, 89.23 ± 19.19 at T2, and 87.96 ± 13.6 at T3) compared with outpatients (85.62 ± 14.51 at T1, 87.42 ± 23.41 at T2, and 83.98 ± 20.2 at T3), although the differences did not reach statistical significance. Inpatients showed higher mean scores than outpatients in physical well-being (7.67 ± 5.7, 15.44 ± 6.34, and 12.96 ± 6.03, respectively, versus 5.89 ± 4.33, 13.92 ± 7.05, and 8.84 ± 6.33, respectively; P < .05). Mean scores on social/family well-being were significantly higher in the outpatient group compared with the inpatient group (22.93 ± 13.29, 21.14 ± 5.31, and 21.64 ± 4.58, respectively, versus 20.59 ± 3.79, 19.52 ± 5.12, and 20.01 ± 3.97, respectively; P = .003). There were no significant between-group differences with respect to functional well-being and emotional status. Among adults at a single institution undergoing ASCT for MM, the use of outpatient care compared with standard transplantation care did not result in improved QoL during transplantation. Further research is needed for replication and to assess longer-term outcomes and implications.