Study on autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system caused by bortezomib in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Objective: To research the effects of autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system induced by bortezomib on clinical efficacy and quality of life.

Methods: A total of 150 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) were hospitalized in our department from January 2018 to December 2021, and treated with bortezomib-based combination regimens. To observe the incidence of autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system and analyse the correlations between the severity of autonomic neuropathy and the efficacy, survival, age, underlying diseases and personal history.

Results: The incidence of autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system was 60.0%. The overall response rate (ORR), 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate and 2-year overall survival (OS) rate in the grade 3 group of autonomic neuropathy were significantly lower than those in the grade 1-2 group, and the differences were statistically significant ( < 0.05). Age, constipation, diabetes, fracture/spinal cord compression in bed and history of alcoholism were positively correlated with the risk of autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system ( < 0.05). The autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system was significantly alleviated in most patients after the timely adjustment of the treatment regimen, and bortezomib could continue to be administered.

Conclusions: The incidence of autonomic neuropathy of the digestive system induced by bortezomib is high, and its severity is closely related to efficacy, advanced age, constipation, diabetes, fracture/spinal cord compression in bed and history of alcoholism. Early detection and early treatment are necessary to better treat the disease and reverse the autonomic neuropathy.