Assessment tools for peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma

Abstract

Advances in treating multiple myeloma (MM) have improved survival, shifting the management focus toward quality of life. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common treatment-related toxicity that significantly impairs quality of life. However, standardized assessment methods for PN in patients with MM are currently lacking. A comprehensive search of multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed) was conducted to identify relevant records. Eligible studies were reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Twenty-two studies were included, and 17 PN assessment tools were identified. Nerve conduction studies and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were the most commonly used clinician-based tools, whereas the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity was the most frequently used patient-reported outcome measure. The use of these tools varies depending on whether their purpose is diagnostic or evaluative. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to evaluate PN assessment tools for patients with MM, revealing substantial heterogeneity across studies. By organizing these diverse approaches, our findings can guide researchers and clinicians toward a more consistent and standardized PN evaluation, ultimately improving the management of treatment-related neuropathy in MM.