International Journal of Medicine Research

Authors
Vera Lady Marlina Sitorus, Stephen CL Koh, Herman Hariman

Abstract
Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diverse clonal haematopoietic disorders manifested by morphologic dysplasia in haematopoietic cells and by peripheral cytopenia(s) and bone marrow failure. It is usually seen in the elderly. The objective of the study was to determine survival outcome and platelet anisometry in myelodysplastic syndromes. Materials and Methods. Ten normal healthy subjects and thirty patients with MDS were recruited. Full Blood Count for haemoglobin, white blood cells red blood cells, haematocrit, platelets, mean platelet volume and platelet anisometry was investigated. Results and Discussion: No statistical differences for age (P=0.06) and white blood cells (P=0.48) between normal subjects and MDS. Leukopenia 53.3%), leucocytosis (13.3%), low haemoglobin (76.7%), low red blood cells (100%), low haematocrit (93.3%), thrombocytopenia (80%), high mean platelet volume (81.3%) in MDS. Patients with platelets of <10x10⁹/L (n=6) succumbed to the disease within one to twelve months. Platelet anisometry (mean 8.1 ± 3.9 %) present in all MDS patients and none in normal subjects. Seventeen patients (65.4%) succumbed to the disease within 12 months and the remainder still living past 12 months to 28 months. Patients who succumbed to the disease was significantly younger (mean 44.8 ± 19.10 years vs. mean 58.2 ± 11.6 years) (P=0.04). Conclusion: Our study showed that only platelets of <10x10⁹/L had predictive adverse outcome within twelve months and no other predictive prognostic markers seen despite the cytopenias present in those still living. Platelet anisometry present in all MDS patients suggest it is a good predictive marker for MDS with mortality of 65.4% seen in our cohorts.