Globulin fraction and albumin: globulin ratio as a predictor of mortality in a South African multiple myeloma cohort

Multiple myeloma, a hematological malignancy typified by the clonal expansion of bone marrow plasma cells, contributes to one percent of all malignancies worldwide. Despite myeloma only contributing to 10% of all hematological malignancies, it carries significant morbidity owing to its heterogenous presentation from orthopedic manifestations to renal sequelae. Patients with the disease can be risk stratified into high risk categories by the presence of various cytogenetic and other laboratory measures, albeit expensive. The albumin:globulin ratio and its inverse the globulin:albumin ratio is proposed as a means of predicting survival in this group of patients as a cheaper and more accessible marker of disease.

Keywords: albumin; albumin:globulin fraction; globulin: albumin fraction; mortality; multiple myeloma; prognostic markers; serum proteins; survival.