Bleeding risk from anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in patients with multiple myeloma: a MarketScan analysis

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is associated with high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Anticoagulant prophylaxis is frequently recommended but underutilized partly due to the absence of studies assessing bleeding risk.

Objectives

To determine the rate of severe (hospitalized) bleeding from thromboprophylaxis in patients treated for MM and identify clinical risk factors for bleeding in this population.

Methods

Using the MarketScan database, we analyzed 6656 patients treated for MM between 2013 and 2021. Concomitant thromboprophylaxis was defined using prescription claims. Hospitalized bleeding was identified through the Cunningham algorithm. Bleeding rates were compared by thromboprophylaxis status, and Cox regression identified risk factors for bleeding.

Results

Anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis was used in 6.6% (436) patients treated for MM. Patients on thromboprophylaxis had a higher rate of immunomodulatory-based therapy (63.8% vs 46.7%; P < .01) and lower rate of antiplatelet use (2.1% vs 4.7%; P < .01). Bleeding occurred in 1.4% of them during median follow-up of 1.3 years. Rate of severe bleeding was not different between those on prophylaxis (7.8 per 1000 person-years) and those not on prophylaxis (10.1 per 1000 person-years). No association was identified between thromboprophylaxis and bleeding. Factors associated with increased bleeding included age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.38 per 10 years increase in age), comorbidity index (HR, 1.18 per SD increase), history of bleeding (HR, 1.54), hypertension (HR, 1.87), and renal disease (HR, 1.56).

Conclusion

Risk of serious bleeding from thromboprophylaxis in patients treated for MM was low, and concomitant anticoagulant therapy did not result in increased bleeding risk. Clinical risk factors for bleeding included age, comorbidity index, bleeding history, hypertension, and renal disease.