Use of nonclonal serum immunoglobulin free light chains to predict overall survival in the general population.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine whether the free light chain (FLC) assay provides prognostic information relevant to the general population.

Methods

After excluding persons with a known plasma cell disorder, we studied 15,859 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents 50 years or older in whom unmasked data and samples for FLC testing were available. Baseline information was obtained between March 13, 1995, and November 21, 2003, and follow-up status and cause of death were identified through June 30, 2009. The κ and λ FLC sum (Σ FLC) was evaluated for its ability to predict overall survival. Specific causes of death were also investigated.

Results

In 158,003 person-years of follow-up, 4348 individuals died. A high Σ FLC was significantly predictive of worse overall survival; the ri

SUBMITTER: Dispenzieri A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3538473 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature