Multiple Myeloma Incidence and Mortality Around the Globe; Interrelations Between Health Access and Quality, Economic Resources, and Patient Empowerment.

Background: The interrelation between the worldwide incidence, mortality, and survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and relevant factors such as Health Care Access and Quality (HAQ) index, gross domestic product (GDP), health care expenditures, access to cancer drugs, and patient empowerment has not been addressed before.

Material And Methods: Epidemiologic data were obtained from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The mortality-to-incidence ratio (expressed as 1-MIR) was used as proxy for 5-year survival.