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Article
Lack of Health Maintenance and Risks in Multiple Myeloma
Cancer Medicine (2016)
  • Joseph D Tariman, PhD
  • Charise Gleason, Emory University
  • Beth Faiman, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute
  • Deborah Doss, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
  • Donna Catamero, Mount Sinai Hospital New York
  • Jessica Bishop-Royse, PhD, DePaul University
  • Mike Katz, International Myeloma Foundation
  • Diane Moran, International Myeloma Foundation
Abstract
Health maintenance (HM) practices are essential to prevent illness, promote well- being, and maximize health. Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cancers, yet, research on HM practices and preventative care of MM survivors has limited report. The study comprised a descriptive, correlational, and cross- sectional online survey design. Survey of patients with MM was carried out through the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) e- mail list services. The members of the IMF and ACOR e- mail list services were surveyed, of which 237 patients responded. The modified Medical Expenditure Preventive Survey–Preventive Care questionnaire was used; it included items that ask patients regarding their healthcare practices that relate to dental care, cancer prevention, addiction, lifestyles, sensory screening, immunizations,  cardiovascular, endocrine, psychosocial, and bone health. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi- square, and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient were obtained. In this study, men had statistically significant inferior global health maintenance scores than women (P = 0.002). Being employed (P = 0.054) and married or partnered (P = 0.017) were significantly correlated with better health maintenance patterns among male respondents. In contrast, no statistically significant correlations between sociodemographic factors and health maintenance patterns were found in women. Patients with MM, particularly men, require continued education and close monitoring of health maintenance practices. These findings are consistent with publications looking at gender disparities in healthcare utilization in the United States. Studies show that men, in general, are less likely to seek preventative healthcare screenings. Healthcare providers must incorporate health maintenance promotion during clinic visits.

Keywords
  • Myeloma,
  • health maintenance,
  • preventive services,
  • health screening,
  • men's health
Publication Date
Spring April 27, 2016
DOI
doi: 10.1002/cam4.716
Publisher Statement
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Citation Information
Joseph D Tariman, Charise Gleason, Beth Faiman, Deborah Doss, et al.. "Lack of Health Maintenance and Risks in Multiple Myeloma" Cancer Medicine (2016) p. 1 - 11
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jdtariman/25/
Creative Commons license
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY International License.