title: Erythropoietin treatment in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to assess the role of a concomitant type 2 diabetes as a potentially negative factor in the management of low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients treated with high-dose (40,000 UI s.c. 2 times/week) recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) alpha (rHuEPO alpha).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty patients (M/F 69/71, median age 76, interquartile range [IR] 68-81) were included in the analysis: 27/140 (19.2%) had a concomitant type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was reported between patients with and without diabetes as to the grade of anemia, the EPO endogenous levels and the need for transfusional requirement at baseline. Erythroid response was achieved in 79/140 patients (56.4%): factors associated with response were lower EPO levels (P < 0.0001), higher baseline Hb levels (P < 0.0001) and transfusion independence (P < 0.0001). Diabetes was not predictive of response: 17/27 (62.9%) patients with diabetes were responsive to high-dose EPO compared with 62/113 (54.8%) patients without diabetes (P = 0.446). This was confirmed in multivariate analysis, controlling for the effects of Hb levels, transfusion-dependence and serum EPO levels. No difference was observed in relapse rate, response duration and OS between patients with and without diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concomitant type 2 diabetes was not a major concern in the management of MDS patients.
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Latagliata
authors: Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Alati
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Ida
authors: I
authors: Carmosino
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Montagna
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Romano
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Finsinger
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Vozella
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Volpicelli
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Breccia
authors: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giuliana
authors: G
authors: Alimena
authors: Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy.
authors: Esther Natalie
authors: EN
authors: Oliva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin
keywords: erythropoietin treatment; myelodysplastic syndrome; type 2 diabetes; 关键词：促红细胞生成素治疗，骨髓增生异常综合征，2型糖尿病