New study from iStopMM: MGUS is not associated with increased risk of COVID-19 or severe COVID-19

Myeloma patients have an increased risk of severe COVID-19. MGUS, the precursor of myeloma, has previously been associated with an increased risk of infections, the formation of blood clots, kidney disease and more. That‘s why there has been some concern that individuals with MGUS are at increased risk from COVID-19. To answer this pressing question, the iStopMM group teamed up with the Icelandic COVID-19 research group. The resulting study was published on December 1st 2021 in the Blood Cancer Journal. The findings show that individuals with MGUS do NOT have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing severe COVID-19. This is reassuring for the millions of individuals affected by MGUS worldwide and the physicians caring for them. The findings highlight the difference between the severe active myeloma and the more indolent MGUS, and provide guidance on how physicians should counsel their patients with MGUS about their risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full article can be accessed here.