Differences in epidemiology of MDS between Western and Eastern countries: Ethnic differences or environmental influence?
Myelodysplastic syndromes show ethnic differences. Several investigators have reported a striking difference in age at diagnosis between Eastern and Western MDS patients. Referring to a letter bei Paydas speculating about toxic environmental influences as a possible cause for younger age in Asian MDS patients, we discuss our experience from a direct comparison of Japanese and German MDS, in particular refractory anemia patients.
Kuendgen
Andrea
A
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. Kuendgen@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Matsuda
Akira
A
Germing
Ulrich
U
D004777:Environment; D005006:Ethnicity; D005843:Geography; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000235:genetics