Patient Awareness and Preventive Practices for VTE in Multiple Myeloma

Overview

This cross-sectional study of 504 multiple myeloma patients revealed suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding venous thromboembolism (VTE), despite relatively proactive preventive practices. Positive correlations among knowledge, attitudes, and practices suggest that improving patient education could enhance VTE prevention behaviors.

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy associated with a ninefold increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), driven by disease biology and treatment factors such as immunomodulatory agents. VTE events predominantly occur within six months of treatment initiation, highlighting the need for early risk assessment and prophylaxis. Patient adherence to VTE prevention is critical but often inadequate, and MM patients represent a unique population due to their chronic disease course and treatment-driven thrombotic risk.

Data Highlights

Correlations: knowledge-attitude (r = 0.141, P = 0.002), knowledge-practice (r = 0.281, P < 0.001), attitude-practice (r = 0.159, P < 0.001).

Structural equation modeling: knowledge → attitude (β = 0.761, P < 0.001), attitude → practice (β = 0.806, P < 0.001), knowledge → practice via attitude (β = 0.613, P < 0.001).

Key Findings

• Majority of participants were male (65.1%) with 57.7% reporting prior VTE events.
• Knowledge scores about VTE were suboptimal, indicating gaps in patient understanding.
• Attitudes toward VTE prevention were generally negative despite relatively high practice scores.
• Significant positive correlations exist between knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices.
• Structural equation modeling demonstrated that knowledge strongly influences attitudes, which in turn strongly influence preventive practices.
• Improving patient education may indirectly enhance preventive behaviors through attitude modification.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should prioritize patient education on VTE risks and prevention in multiple myeloma to improve attitudes and adherence to prophylactic measures. Tailored interventions that address knowledge gaps could lead to better engagement in preventive practices, potentially reducing VTE incidence in this high-risk population.

Conclusion

This study identifies critical gaps in VTE-related knowledge and attitudes among multiple myeloma patients, despite proactive preventive behaviors. Enhancing patient education represents a promising strategy to optimize VTE prevention and improve clinical outcomes.

References

1. Bazhong Central Hospital Ethics Committee/2024 -- Patient Awareness, Attitudes, and Preventive Practices Related to Venous Thromboembolism in Multiple Myeloma