[Ferrokinetic studies in the initial evaluation of idiopathic myelofibrosis: results in 18 patients].
BACKGROUND
Since there is no effective treatment for idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) the determination of possible factors which are involved in the appearance of anemia in this disease may be important from a practical point of view.


METHODS
The results of the initial ferrokinetic study analyzed in 18 patients with IM included plasma clearance (T1/2) and globular incorporation (U max) of 59Fe in addition to the uptake of 59Fe in the sacrum, spleen and liver in 16 patients. The clinical-hematologic and histologic data of the different groups of patients identified according to the results of the study were compared.


RESULTS
Three ferrokinetic patterns were observed: 1) normal or increased erythropoiesis (8 patient), 2) inefficient erythropoiesis (7 patients), and 3) aplastic pattern (3 patients). The only difference observed between the three groups was the existence of lower levels of Hb and reticulocytes in the subjects with aplastic type pattern. In contrast, although there was an inverse correlation between the medullar and extramedullar uptake of iron (p = 0.018) no relation was observed between the latter and the size of the spleen or liver.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in this study indicate that IM behaves heterogeneously from a ferrokinetic point of view.
Escoda
L
L
Escuela de Hematología Farreras Valentí, Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Universidad de Barcelona.
Cervantes
F
F
Pereira
A
A
López-Guillermo
A
A
Piera
C
C
Rozman
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D007501:Iron
Estudios ferrocinéticos en la evaluación inicial de la mielofibrosis idiopática: resultados en 18 pacientes.