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Multicenter Study
. 2025 May;114(5):812-821.
doi: 10.1111/ejh.14356. Epub 2025 Jan 8.

The Role of Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Myeloma

Anna Suska  1 , Agata Tyczyńska  2 , Jan Maciej Zaucha  2 , Anna Kopińska  3 , Grzegorz Helbig  3 , Mirosław Markiewicz  4 , Katarzyna Warzybok  4 , Ewa Leder  4 , Sebastian Grosicki  5 , Bogusław Machaliński  6 , Bartłomiej Baumert  6 , Michał Bator  7 , Lidia Usnarska-Zubkiewicz  7 , Szymon Fornagiel  8 , Hanna Ciepłuch  9 , Anna Waszczuk-Gajda  10 , Kamila Kruczkowska-Tarantowicz  11 , Piotr Rzepecki  11 , Marek Hus  12 , Anna Morawska-Krekora  13 , Małgorzata Raźny  13 , Grzegorz Charliński  14 , Anna Puła  15 , Ewa Nita  16 , Małgorzata Wojciechowska  17 , Małgorzata Krawczyk-Kuliś  18 , Joanna Goldberg  19 , Tomasz Woźny  19 , Marek Rodzaj  20 , Dariusz Olejarz  21   22 , Marlena Gronau-Dziurkowska  23 , Ewa Skalniak  24 , Janusz Krzysztoń  25 , Karolina Niezabitowska  26 , Artur Jurczyszyn  1
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

The Role of Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Myeloma

Anna Suska et al. Eur J Haematol. 2025 May.

Abstract

Objectives: The study evaluated the impact of lifestyle and environmental exposure on the etiology of multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: A multicenter case-control study was conducted in 20 hematology centers and in 5 outpatient clinics in Poland. The questionnaire on exposure to potential risk factors including sociodemographic data, lifestyle, and environmental factors was completed.

Results: A total of 274 patients with newly diagnosed MM and 208 patients from primary healthcare centers in the control group were enrolled in the study. Regarding lifestyle, sports practiced systematically for at least half a year play a protective role in the development of myeloma (OR = 0.40, 95% CI, 0.28-0.58, p < 0.001). Among environmental factors harmful exposures that increase the likelihood of the development of MM include pesticides (OR = 3.29, p < 0.001), asphalt (OR = 2.42, p = 0.026), coal dust (OR = 2.27, p = 0.004), organic vapors (OR = 2.11, p = 0.001), metal dust (OR = 2.07, p = 0.023), exhaust fumes (OR = 2.03, p < 0.01), and chemicals (OR = 1.80, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: The pathogenesis of MM is complex with the impact of modifiable factors. Lifestyle, with physical activity, seems to play a key role.

Keywords: etiology; exposure; lifestyle; multiple myeloma; physical activity; risk factors.

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