Revista Médica del Hospital General de México (Jul 2015)

Androgens added to immunosuppressive regimen in patients with aplastic anaemia. A retrospective study

  • C.O. Ramos-Peñafiel,
  • V.E. Ferrer-Argote,
  • R. Trejo-Ayala,
  • G. León-González,
  • A. Santoyo-Sánchez,
  • J. Collazo-Jaloma

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hgmx.2015.07.002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 78, no. 3
pp. 107 – 111

Abstract

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Background: Androgens have been used to treat bone marrow failure syndromes such as aplastic anaemia (AA) since the 1970s, and are currently used as adjuvants to other treatment regimens. Objective: To determine the efficacy and response time of androgens in the treatment of AA. Materials and methods: A retrospective, analytical-observational nested study in a cohort of patients with AA. The study was conducted from January 2006 to December 2013. Results: A total of 63 patients with a mean age of 47 (18–83) years were included in the study. Out of 27 patients in full remission, 17 received some type of immunosuppressant combined with androgens. The use of more than 2 immunosuppressants did not significantly improve response times (p = 0.311, 95% CI). Mean response time was 725 (331–1119) days; 4-year survival rate was 86%. Conclusions: Improved immunosuppressant response rates with adjuvant androgens were mainly observed in patients with severe AA.

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