The risk of infections in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes in 2016.
BACKGROUND
The medical treatment of patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes has significantly changed during the last ten years, and this may have impacted the epidemiology of infectious complications. Some 'real world' experiences raised the issue of infections in this setting and the possible negative consequences for patients and health system: the higher the rate of hospitalizations and need for anti-infective therapies, the higher the treatment delays/withdrawal and consecutive the worse the outcome.


METHODS
The main epidemiological data on myelodysplastic patients are reviewed. Potential risk factors are described, including those related to the disease itself, patient's characteristics, health conditions and the environment. Expert commentary: The complexity of MDS treatment is expected to increase further, with the introduction of other drugs and combined therapies. Defining the level of risk at time of treatment prescription will become more and more important, in order to better manage the infectious risk and the febrile events eventually occurring.
a MSD Italy, Medical Affairs , Rome , Italy.
Morena
M
Caira
b Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia, Anatomia Patologica e Medicina Rigenerativa, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I , 'Sapienza' Università of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Roberto
R
Latagliata
b Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia, Anatomia Patologica e Medicina Rigenerativa, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I , 'Sapienza' Università of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Corrado
C
Girmenia
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
Risk factors; azacitidine; bacterial infection; decitabine; hypomethylating agents; invasive fungal infection; myelodysplastic syndromes; pneumonia; prophylaxis; sepsis