Results from HealthTree Study Presented at ASH 2024: Managing Pain and Opioid Use for Myeloma Patients

Pain is one of the most distressing symptoms for myeloma patients, and managing it effectively is important for improving their quality of life. Opioids, strong pain-relieving medications, are commonly used to manage moderate to severe pain in myeloma. However, the overuse of opioids has led to significant public health concerns, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to pain management.

Karen Sweiss, PharmD of the University of Illinois at Chicago, in collaboration with HealthTree Foundation, conducted a study in HealthTree Cure Hub Registry, which shed light on how myeloma patients experience and manage pain.The research results were presented at the ASH 2024 conference. 

Read insights from the study below. 

How Pain Affects Myeloma Patients 

From May 2023 to July 2024, 563 patients diagnosed with symptomatic myeloma responded to a 31-question survey. The findings revealed that 54% of these patients experience daily pain, with many reporting that their pain often affects their mood, sleep, and relationships. 

Despite many patients being in remission, half of them continued to experience pain, which they attributed either to the cancer itself or its treatment. Alarmingly, 29% felt their pain was inadequately managed, and 38% rarely or never discussed pain with their oncology care team. 

Common reasons patients underreported their pain were due to fear of starting new treatments or the feeling that their doctors were not attentive. Patients also didn’t report their pain as they often felt like a ‘bother’ to their treatment team.  

Impact of Opioid Use Among Myeloma Patients

The survey also explored opioid usage patterns among myeloma patients. A significant proportion of patients (76%) had taken opioids to manage their pain. Notably, those at moderate to high risk of opioid abuse were more likely to use opioids than those at low risk. This pattern persisted even when patients were in remission, indicating a continued reliance on opioids. 

Moreover, a significant number of patients had not had a discussion with their healthcare providers about the possibility of stopping opioids, and 35% reported not being educated on opioid use by their oncology team. 

If you feel that you have not received enough education about opioid use, ask your doctor or pharmacist to inform you about things you need to know. This may include understanding potential risks, signs of abuse or addiction, the importance of following prescription instructions, and when to seek help for potential issues. 

Opioid Use Surrounding Stem Cell Transplant 

Among patients who received an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), 40% were taking opioids before the procedure, and 15% began using opioids for the first time during their hospital stay. After their transplant, a significant number of patients continued to use opioids. In fact, 26% of them were still taking these pain medications for more than three months after they went home from the hospital.

Prior research from Dr. Sweiss showed that there is a negative impact of long-term opioid use on myeloma patient survival after their stem cell transplant. Finding ways to reduce opioid use while effectively managing pain for myeloma patients is vital to their health in the long term. 

Adding a Palliative Care Provider to Your Care Team

One way to properly manage pain as a person with myeloma is to add a trained professional in pain management, referred to as a palliative care provider, to your care team. Concerningly, only 9% of myeloma patients were referred to a palliative care provider by their doctor in the study. Raising awareness of palliative care providers can help improve this gap. 

When you meet with a palliative care provider, discuss what pain you are feeling specifically. This will help reduce the chance of receiving medicine you don’t need and connect you to the right resources. 

For example, in the study, 39% of patients reported nerve pain like tingling or numbness in the hands/feet, commonly known as neuropathy Unfortunately, only a low percentage of these patients received the proper treatments for nerve pain, like anticonvulsants and antidepressants. 

A pain management specialist can help connect you to the right medicines for the pain you are experiencing. This can also support you in reducing your risk of long-term exposure and possible addiction to opioids.  

Summary

Dr. Sweiss' study highlights the ongoing challenges myeloma patients face with pain management. Even in remission, many patients continue to experience pain that significantly affects their quality of life. There is also a concerning pattern of prolonged opioid use, especially among those at a higher risk for opioid abuse. 

To manage your pain effectively and safely, open communication with your healthcare provider is crucial. If you're experiencing pain, it's important to speak up about it. Ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist in pain management, known as a palliative care provider. Being clear about the types of pain you're experiencing can influence the treatment you receive. This approach not only addresses your pain more effectively but also helps minimize long-term reliance on opioids, reducing the risks associated with their chronic use. 

To stay up to date with more ASH 2024 news, visit our site: HealthTree Conference Coverage.

Advance Myeloma Research Through HealthTree Cure Hub Registry Surveys 

To participate in myeloma research like the study above and improve patient outcomes, click the button below to access simple surveys in HealthTree Cure Hub Registry.

Participate in Myeloma Surveys

Source: 

• National HealthTree Survey on Pain and Opioid Use Patterns and Perceptions Among Patients with Multiple Myeloma
• Outcomes Research: Plasma Cell Disorders: Quality Matters and Key Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma