Stratification of multiple myeloma according to serum beta 2-microglobulin and serum albumin levels.

In 71 patients with multiple myeloma the authors evaluated the clinical significance and the prognostic relevance of Bataille's stratification system based on serum beta 2-microglobulin and serum albumin levels. This staging system, which classified the patients to low, intermediate and poor risk groups (stages 1-3) showed a rather small prognostic significance, and it stratified our myeloma patients unsatisfactorily. On the basis of the results of our own analyses, we have developed our own modification of a pilot stratification system. We have verified its good clinical applicability and its powerful prognostic prediction. In this study, the good prognostic significance of serum beta 2-microglobulin and albumin levels (with the best cut-off levels of 4.0 mg/l and 35.0 g/l) and a good correlation between both analysed markers were confirmed.