# Psychosocial Functioning, Quality of Life, Depressive Symptoms, and Meaning in Life in Older Adults with Multiple Myeloma: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how physical symptoms, mental health, and a sense of meaning in life affect the quality of life in older adults with multiple myeloma.

## Contribution

The study identifies fatigue, pain, depression, and meaning in life as key factors influencing quality of life in older adults with multiple myeloma.

## Key findings

- Fatigue and pain were most strongly associated with lower global quality of life.
- Higher presence of meaning in life was related to better quality of life and lower depression severity.
- Women reported greater physical symptom burden than men.

## Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Population aging and prolonged survival in multiple myeloma have expanded the cohort of older adults managing enduring physical, psychological, and social challenges.Understanding quality of life, depressive symptoms, and existential resources in this population addresses a growing public health need for comprehensive survivorship care.

Population aging and prolonged survival in multiple myeloma have expanded the cohort of older adults managing enduring physical, psychological, and social challenges.

Understanding quality of life, depressive symptoms, and existential resources in this population addresses a growing public health need for comprehensive survivorship care.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
Fatigue, pain, and depressive symptoms emerged as key determinants of diminished quality of life, even among clinically stable older adults.The presence of meaning in life emerged as a protective factor, reinforcing the importance of psycho-social and existential dimensions in public health–oriented oncology care.

Fatigue, pain, and depressive symptoms emerged as key determinants of diminished quality of life, even among clinically stable older adults.

The presence of meaning in life emerged as a protective factor, reinforcing the importance of psycho-social and existential dimensions in public health–oriented oncology care.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
Multidimensional care models integrating symptom management, mental health screening, and meaning-centered interventions are essential to optimize quality of life in older adults with cancer.Public health policies and clinical guidelines should incorporate psychosocial and existential support as core components of geriatric oncology and chronic cancer care.

Multidimensional care models integrating symptom management, mental health screening, and meaning-centered interventions are essential to optimize quality of life in older adults with cancer.

Public health policies and clinical guidelines should incorporate psychosocial and existential support as core components of geriatric oncology and chronic cancer care.

(1) Background: Older adults with multiple myeloma (MM) contend with multifaceted physical, psychological, and existential challenges that may compromise quality of life (QoL). This study examined associations between physical symptom burden, functional capacity, depression severity, meaning in life, and QoL in older adults with MM. (2) Methods: Fifty outpatients (mean age = 67.7 ± 8.8 years) completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, PHQ-9, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). QoL was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included physical symptom burden (fatigue and pain), functioning domains, depression severity, and meaning in life. Internal consistency of all instruments was satisfactory (Cronbach’s α > 0.70). Analysis and associations among variables were done using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients (p < 0.05). (3) Results: Participants reported high global QoL and preserved functioning. Fatigue and pain were most strongly associated with lower global QoL. Greater depression severeness, although mild, was correlated with higher physical symptom burden and poorer functioning. Higher Presence of Meaning was related to better QoL and lower depression severity, whereas Search for Meaning showed no significant associations. Women reported greater physical symptom burden than men. (4) Conclusions: In older adults with MM, QoL appears to be linked to interrelated physical, psychological, functional, and existential factors. Fatigue, pain, depression severity, and established meaning in life were identified as clinically relevant correlates, highlighting targets for integrated supportive care.