The Effects of Genetic Characteristics on the Survival in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effects of genetic characteristics on the survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).Methods:This retrospective study reviewed the data on epidemiological features, main laboratory tests, International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and revised-IPSS risk categories, genetic anomalies, genetic risk categories, and survival in patients who are diagnosed with MDS in our center. According to the IPSS risk categories, patients were classified into three groups as follows: “low risk,” “intermediate-1,” and “intermediate-2 risk and high risk.” The groups were compared using the ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Results:The study reviewed the data of 99 patients. The mean age was 66±11.6 years. A genetic anomaly was detected in 30.3%, of which the most common was del20q (26.7%). The median survival was 61 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 50.9-71] in the study population. The 5-year survival rate was calculated as 64%, 41%, and 33% in “low risk,” “intermediate-1,” and “intermediate-2 risk and high risk” groups, respectively. The predicted median survival rate was 96 months (95% CI: 47.7-144.2), 56 months (95% CI: 34.1-77.8), and 18 months (95% CI: 15.1-20.8), respectively, which indicate a significant difference (log-rank chi-square: 6.6; p=0.035). The risk for mortality was 3.3-folds higher in the “intermediate-2 and high risk” group compared to the “low risk” group (RR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.2-8.6; p=0.017).Conclusion:Our study supports that risk groups that are determined by several parameters, including genetic characteristics, provide predictive information about survival in MDS.

Keywords

• myelodysplastic syndromes
• prognosis
• genetics
• survival