Leukemia Research
Volume 36, Issue 5 , Pages 525-536, May 2012

The clinical, quality of life, and economic consequences of chronic anemia and transfusion support in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

  • Uwe Platzbecker

      Affiliations

    • University Hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, Dresden, Germany
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: University Hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, Fetscherstrasse 740, 1307 Dresden, Germany. Tel.: +49 351 458 4190; fax: +49 351 458 5362.
    • ,
  • Lorenz C. Hofbauer

      Affiliations

    • University Hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic III, Dresden, Germany
    • ,
  • Gerhard Ehninger

      Affiliations

    • University Hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, Dresden, Germany
    • ,
  • Kristina Hölig

      Affiliations

    • University Hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, Dresden, Germany

Received 17 March 2011; received in revised form 28 December 2011; accepted 9 January 2012. published online 02 February 2012.

Abstract 

Most patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) require transfusions due to chronic anemia. Apart from the acute risks associated with transfusions, chronic anemia and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependence impact negatively on survival and quality of life (QoL), and are associated with iron overload, potentially leading to organ damage. QoL studies demonstrate that regular transfusions do not correct the impact of chronic anemia. Furthermore, chronic transfusion support requires substantial resources. Therefore, major goals are to prevent or effectively treat anemia. Indeed, innovative drugs have been shown to be effective in achieving transfusion independence by altering the natural course of MDS.

Keywords: MDS, Transfusions, Iron overload, Quality of life

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PII: S0145-2126(12)00009-4

doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2012.01.006

Leukemia Research
Volume 36, Issue 5 , Pages 525-536, May 2012

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