# The Role of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance Diagnosis in Healthcare Utilization

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $27,890

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) is an understudied precursor of multiple
myeloma (MM), the second most commonly diagnosed hematologic malignancy in the United States. Patients
with MGUS progress to MM at a rate of 1% per year throughout their lifetime, resulting in continuous clinical
surveillance and associated anxiety. MM patients with a prior MGUS diagnosis may have better prognosis than
MM patients without a diagnosis, although the mechanisms are unknown. Gaining a better understanding of
overall healthcare utilization by patients with MGUS may provide insight into preventative healthcare measures
that may improve their overall health. Therefore, this proposal focuses on investigating the role of an MGUS
diagnosis on healthcare utilization practices and gaining insight into the processes involved in managing care
for patients with MGUS. The Specific Aims are to: (1) Describe the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics,
follow-up patterns, and laboratory value trajectories of patients with MGUS; (2) Determine if an MGUS
diagnosis is associated with changes in healthcare utilization that differ according to patients’
sociodemographic and clinical characteristics; and (3) Understand the patient- and provider-level drivers of
healthcare utilization in patients with MGUS and the predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with
care-seeking practices. To address these objectives, this proposal will use two data sources. Aims 1 and 2 will
analyze a cohort of patients with MGUS (n=429) identified by a novel case-finding algorithm using health
claims and electronic health record data, identified from a community-based population of patients seeking
care in central Massachusetts. For Aim 3, we will conduct qualitative semi-structured interviews with patients
with MGUS diagnosed in central Massachusetts and providers who treat patients with MGUS. The knowledge
generated by the successful completion of these Aims will inform stakeholders on the role of an MGUS
diagnosis in healthcare utilization and will assess the factors contributing to healthcare utilization in this
population. In addition, the results of this study will elucidate potential clinical and sociodemographic
characteristics that may lead to improvement in the long-term overall health of patients with MGUS and to the
identification of targets for future interventions. This dissertation proposal also includes a multi-faceted,
comprehensive training plan that will support Maira A. Castaneda-Avila’s development as an independent
investigator, including advanced level training in quantitative and qualitative methods, cancer prevention and
control, hematological malignancies, further training in the ethics of conducting research and grant writing, and
exposure to national and international cancer epidemiologists through presentations and attendance at
national research conferences. The skills gained through the proposed training plan ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10067158
- **Project number:** 1F31CA247105-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Maira A Castaneda-Avila
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $27,890
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2021-06-20

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10067158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10067158, The Role of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance Diagnosis in Healthcare Utilization (1F31CA247105-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10067158. Licensed CC0.

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