Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
For patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), common complications that should be monitored primarily stem from bone marrow dysfunction and its consequences.
- Infections: Patients with MDS are at a heightened risk of infections, largely due to neutropenia and compromised immune function (Girmenia et al. 2019, Stempel et al. 2023).
- Bleeding: Thrombocytopenia, a frequent characteristic of MDS, can lead to various bleeding complications (Stempel et al. 2023).
- Anemia and associated symptoms: Ineffective red blood cell production often results in significant anemia, causing symptoms such as fatigue, which may necessitate regular red blood cell transfusions (Stempel et al. 2023).
- Iron overload: As a consequence of frequent red blood cell transfusions, patients with MDS are at risk of developing iron overload, which requires careful monitoring (Wells et al. 2008, Stempel et al. 2023).
Key References
- NG35 - Myeloma: diagnosis and management
- CKS - Multiple myeloma
- NG47 - Haematological cancers: improving outcomes
- CKS - Ulcerative colitis
- CKS - Erythrocytosis/polycythaemia
- (Wells et al., 2008): Iron overload in myelodysplastic syndromes: a Canadian consensus guideline.
- (Girmenia et al., 2019): Infection control in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes who are candidates for active treatment: Expert panel consensus-based recommendations.
- (Stempel et al., 2023): Supportive Care for Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes.