Quality of life in patients with polyneuropathy associated with different types of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

AbstractPolyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS-PNP) has a chronic and slowly progressive course but can lead to significant disability and reduced quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to analyze QoL in MGUS-PNP patients and to determine its predictors. Our study included 51 patients diagnosed with MGUS-PNP (23.5% with IgM, 66.7% IgG or IgA, 7.8% undetermined paraprotein, 2.0% light chains). QoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRC-SS), INCAT disability and sensory scores, ataxia score, Krupp ’s Fatigue Severity Scale and Beck’s Depression Inventory were also used. Total SF-36 score was 50.0 ± 21.4 and no difference was observed between IgM and IgG/IgA MGUS-PNP. Physical composite score was worse than mental (44.4 ± 21.4 vs. 54.5 ± 20.9). Following factors showed corre lation with SF-36 total score in univariate analysis: INCAT disability score, MRC-SS, INCAT sensory score, level of ataxia, fatigue and depression (p <  0.01). Significant predictors of worse SF-36 total score in our MGUS-PNP patients were depression (β = − 0.46,p <  0.01), fatigue (β = − 0.32,p <  0.01) and INCAT disability score (β = − 0.27,p <  0.01). QoL in MGUS-PNP is equally affected in patients with different types of paraprotein. MGUS-PNP patients with more severe functional disability, fatigue and depression need special at...
Source: Acta Neurologica Belgica - Category: Neurology Source Type: research