Prognostic values of platelet distribution width-to-platelet count ratio for multiple myeloma

Objective To investigate the relationship between platelet distribution width-to-platelet count ratio (PDW/PLT) in peripheral blood ard the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods A total of 155 MM patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from February 1, 2013 to June 30, 2019 were enrolled and their clinical data were collected. According to the optimal cut-off value of PDW/PLT, they were divided into two groups: a high PDW/PLT group (PDW/PLT≥0.066) and a low PDW/PLT group (PDW/PLT<0.066). Both groups were compared for clinical characteristics, effectiveness and prognosis. Results Statistical differences were found in age (P=0.010), Durie Salmon (DS) stages (P=0.003), International Staging System (ISS) stages (P=0.003), hemoglobin (Hb) (P=0.039), platelets (PLT) (P=0.000), serum creatinine (Scr) (P=0.002), serum calcium (Ca) (P=0.041), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) (P=0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P=0.004), and the degree of remission (P=0.002) between the high PDW/PLT group and the low PDW/PLT group. Univariate survival analysis results showed that DS stage Ⅲ, ISS stage Ⅲ, Hb<100 g/L, albumin (Alb)<35 g/L, LDH≥250 U/L, β₂-MG≥5.5 mg/L, PDW/PLT≥0.066 and ineffective remission were the factors affecting the prognosis of MM patients. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that PDW/PLT≥0.066, LDH≥250 U/L, and ineffective remission were the independent prognostic factors affecting OS in MM patients. Conclusions Peripheral blood PDW/PLT≥0.066 at the first diagnosis is related to the shortened survival time of MM patients. It suggests that peripheral blood PDW/PLT may be used as a new indicator, which if used in combined with current prognostic indicators can better predict the prognosis of MM patients.