Management and Evolution of Multiple Myeloma with Renal Failure in Developing Countries: The Case of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lome, Togo

Abstract

Background: Renal failure (RF) is a frequent complication during multiple myeloma (MM) and sometimes reveals the disease. The median survival of MM patients with RF is shorter than that of patients with myeloma without renal involvement. Although patient survival has been prolonged with the new therapies, the median survival does not exceed five to seven years. Few data on this subject are available in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To describe the therapeutic management and evolution of MM with RF in a developing country like Togo. Method: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study which took place over a period of ten years (2010-2019) and included the records of patients with MM according to the 2009 and/or 2014 IMWG criteria, hospitalized or followed up in the nephrology and rheumatology departments of the CHU-SO with a GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 related to their myeloma. Results: During the study period, 78 patients with MM had renal failure (55.7%). Therapeutically, hygienic and dietary measures were dictated in 84.6% of cases (68 patients). Rehydration was performed in 38 cases (48.7%); alkalinization of urine in 10 cases (12.8%); use of antibiotics in 36 cases (46.2%), NSAIDs in 51 cases (65.4%); use of biphosphonates in 36 cases (46.6%). Surgical immobilization by screw-plate osteosynthesis was performed in 02 patients. Nephrologically, 8 patients underwent ESRD. The different chemotherapy protocols used were Melphalan-Prednisone in 70% of cases, Melphalan-Cyclophosphamide-Prednisone in 26.7% of cases and Cyclophosphamide-Prednisone in 3.3%. The median overall survival was 8 months. The median survival was 13 months in patients who recovered from renal failure versus 2 months in those who did not recover from renal failure (p = 0.0030). Of the 78 patients in our series, 22 patients had died (28.2%). Conclusion: Despite renal failure, the Alexanian protocol and biphosphonates are still widely used in combination with symptomatic treatment with significant results.