Association of routine hematological parameters with the development of monoclonal gammopathies: a case-control study of 134,740 patients: Resubmitted to annals of Hematology 26 March 2024

• Published in: Annals of hematology 2024-08, Vol.103 (8), p.3005-3013
• Main Authors: Røllum-Larsen, Jakob, Engell, Anna Elise, Diaz-delCastillo, Marta, Heegaard, Anne-Marie, Jørgensen, Henrik Løvendahl
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Case-Control Studies; Denmark - epidemiology; Female; Hematology; Hemoglobins - analysis; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma - blood; Multiple Myeloma - diagnosis; Multiple Myeloma - epidemiology; Oncology; Paraproteinemias - blood; Platelet Count
• ISSN: 0939-5555; 1432-0584; 1432-0584
• DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05822-9

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma requires detection of paraproteinemia and confirmation of monoclonal bone marrow infiltration, along with signs of end-organ damage. Despite the increasing prevalence, serum paraproteinemia is not routinely measured. We examined the relationship between alterations in routine hematological parameters and the development of paraproteinemia in a case-control study. Data was retrieved from a laboratory database in the capital region of Denmark between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2022. Patients were included if they had a test for paraproteinemia ( n  = 134,740) and at least one prior hematological parameter (white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelet count) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Between 96,999 and 103,590 patients were included in each of the three hematological groups. We found white blood cell count and the presence of paraproteinemia followed an inverse J-shaped curve, with the highest presence below 3 × 10 9 /L and above > 9 × 10 9 /L. The adjusted OR below and above the nadir of 4 × 10 9 /L was 1.61 (95% CI 1.25; 2.08, p