Table 2.

Chief Complaint among 110 Cases with Multiple Myeloma, within the 2 Years before Diagnosis

Main complaintPatients with the Symptom (at Least 1 Visit), n (%)Visits related to the Symptom, mean ± SD
Pain complaint
    Back pain64 (58)3.0 ± 5.4
    Cervical spine pain33 (30)0.8 ± 1.7
    Musculoskeletal pain65 (59)2.6 ± 3.8
    Nonspecific pain37 (34)1.0 ± 3.2
    >1 Pain complaint25 (23)0.6 ± 1.4
    No pain complaint14 (13)
Infections
    Viral infection61 (56)2.1 ± 2.7
    Bacterial infection52 (48)1.3 ± 2.3
Weight loss10 (9)0.1 ± 0.46
Fatigue27 (25)0.5 ± 1.3
Other*36 (33)0.7 ± 1.4
Abnormal laboratory test†35 (32)0.8 ± 2.2

  • ↵* “Other” includes peripheral edema, constipation, pre-syncope, syncope, and dizziness.

  • ↵† Patient's complaint was of an abnormal blood test.

  • SD, standard deviation.