[Do hematopoietic growth factors have a role in the treatment of drug-induced agranulocytosis?].
OBJECTIVE
Our study was aimed at determining the role of hematopoietic growth factor in drug-induced agranulocytosis.


METHODS
Fifty-five cases of drug-induced agranulocytosis were reviewed and subdivided retrospectively into a G-CSF group (n = 15) and an untreated group (n = 40). Mortality and hematological recovery (number of days required for neutrophil counts to exceed 1.5 x 10(9)/L) were studied in the two groups.


RESULTS
The mean granulocyte count was 0.09 x 10(9)/L. All patients presented infection. In the G-CSF group, no mortality (0% versus 5%, P = 0.85) and a shorter recovery time (8.1 versus 9.5 days P = 0.39) were observed. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in either the duration of antibiotic therapy (9.3 days in the G-CSF group versus 10.1 days in the untreated group, P = 0.51) or duration of hospitalization (10 days in the treated group versus 11 days in the G-CSF group, P = 0.46).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results as well as a literature review indicate that G-CSF could decrease the time to hematological recovery and perhaps reduce mortality. However, the exact role of hematopoietic growth factors requires further investigations.
Andrès
E
E
Service de médecine interne et nutrition, hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France.
Maloisel
F
F
Kurtz
J E
JE
Vinzio
S
S
Sibilia
J
J
Schlienger
J L
JL
Dufour
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006098:Granulocytes; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000069585:Filgrastim