Infections in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes - prevalence and risk factors: a report from the European MDS Registry

Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes myelodysplastic syndromes: (my-eh-lo-diss-PLASS-tik SIN-dromez) A group of disorders where the bone marrow does not work well, and the bone marrow cells fail to make enough healthy blood cells. Myelo refers to the bone marrow. Dysplastic means abnormal growth or development. People with MDS have low blood cell count for at… (LR-MDS). Studies regarding risk factors for infections are, however, limited in this population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for infections and infection-related death in patients with LR-MDS. The study included 2,552 patients from the European MDS (EUMDS) Registry, which prospectively collects observational data on newly diagnosed MDS patients from 17 countries. The prevalence of infections and infection-related death was determined. Risk factors for infections and infection-related death occurring within 1 year from diagnosis were analyzed in separate multivariable logistic regression models. A third model that only included LR-MDS patients who experienced an infectious episode within the first year after diagnosis was used to analyze risk factors associated with infection-related death in patients with an infectious episode. The prevalence of infections was 7.6%, and 24.6% of all deaths were due to infections. In multivariable analysis, an independent association with increased risk for infections was found for hemoglobin hemoglobin: A protein in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. level <8 g/dL, platelet platelet: The smallest type of blood cell. Platelets help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Also called a thrombocyte. count <50x109/L, absolute neutrophil neutrophil: (NOO-truh-fil) The most numerous of the white blood cells, important for helping the body fight infections (particularly bacterial and fungal infections. count <0.8x109/L, intermediate/poor/very poor cytogenetics cytogenetics: (sie-toe-juh-NEH-tiks) The study of chromosomes (DNA), the part of the cell that contains genetic information. Some cytogenetic abnormalities are linked to different forms of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). , and having received red blood cell red blood cell: The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte, RBC. transfusions at baseline. An independent association with increased risk of infection-related death was found for older age at diagnosis, hemoglobin level <8 g/dL, and platelet count <50x109/L. Patients with an increased risk of infections could benefit from close monitoring, especially in the first months after diagnosis. Future research should focus on the causality and severity of infections and risk factors over time, to provide more guidance for monitoring.