Am J Blood Res 2013;3(3):246-259
Original Article
Costs and quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Carlo Lucioni, Carlo Finelli, Silvio Mazzi, Esther N Oliva
Springer Healthcare Italia S.r.l., Milano; Dipartimento ad attività integrata Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina di laboratorio,
Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna; Dipartimento di Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, Reggio
Calabria
Received May 27, 2013; Accepted July 19, 2013; Epub August 19, 2013; Published August 30, 2013
Abstract: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) encompass a range of myeloid neoplasms characterised by a defect in
haematopoietic stem cell maturation, resulting in peripheral cytopenias. As a major consequence, most MDS patients
become anaemic, so as to require red blood cell transfusions. To investigate the costs and the impact on quality of life (QOL)
of MDS-separately in transfusion-independent (TI) and -dependent (TD) patients-a literature search was conducted. From
Medline and Embase, 742 studies were identified, of which 17 were considered eligible. Total medical costs per patient/year
range from $ 9,840 to $ 19,811 for the TI condition and from $ 29,608 to $ 51,066 in the TD condition, more than doubling
when moving from the former condition to the latter. With regard to QOL, in the transition from TI to TD, QOL could be reduced
by half depending on the studies. The TD condition negatively impacts on costs and the QOL of patients with MDS.
Therapeutic strategies that reduce transfusion dependence may lead to broad benefits for patients and the community.
(AJBR1305004).
Keywords: Myelodysplastic syndromes, anemia, transfusion dependence, quality of life, medical costs
Address correspondence to: Dr. Esther N Oliva, Dipartimento di Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera “Bianchi-Melacrino-
Morelli”, Reggio Calabria, Italy. E-mail: estheroliva@hotmail.com; Carlo Finelli, Dipartimento ad attività integrata Ematologia,
Oncologia e Medicina di laboratorio, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna. E-mail: carlo.finelli@unibo.it
Original Article
Costs and quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Carlo Lucioni, Carlo Finelli, Silvio Mazzi, Esther N Oliva
Springer Healthcare Italia S.r.l., Milano; Dipartimento ad attività integrata Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina di laboratorio,
Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna; Dipartimento di Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, Reggio
Calabria
Received May 27, 2013; Accepted July 19, 2013; Epub August 19, 2013; Published August 30, 2013
Abstract: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) encompass a range of myeloid neoplasms characterised by a defect in
haematopoietic stem cell maturation, resulting in peripheral cytopenias. As a major consequence, most MDS patients
become anaemic, so as to require red blood cell transfusions. To investigate the costs and the impact on quality of life (QOL)
of MDS-separately in transfusion-independent (TI) and -dependent (TD) patients-a literature search was conducted. From
Medline and Embase, 742 studies were identified, of which 17 were considered eligible. Total medical costs per patient/year
range from $ 9,840 to $ 19,811 for the TI condition and from $ 29,608 to $ 51,066 in the TD condition, more than doubling
when moving from the former condition to the latter. With regard to QOL, in the transition from TI to TD, QOL could be reduced
by half depending on the studies. The TD condition negatively impacts on costs and the QOL of patients with MDS.
Therapeutic strategies that reduce transfusion dependence may lead to broad benefits for patients and the community.
(AJBR1305004).
Keywords: Myelodysplastic syndromes, anemia, transfusion dependence, quality of life, medical costs
Address correspondence to: Dr. Esther N Oliva, Dipartimento di Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera “Bianchi-Melacrino-
Morelli”, Reggio Calabria, Italy. E-mail: estheroliva@hotmail.com; Carlo Finelli, Dipartimento ad attività integrata Ematologia,
Oncologia e Medicina di laboratorio, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna. E-mail: carlo.finelli@unibo.it
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