title: Development of the Platelet Efficacy Score (PEscore) to predict the efficacy of platelet transfusion in oncohematologic patients.
abstract: Despite the prophylactic use of platelet transfusion, hemorrhagic complications still represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies. Patient-related factors and characteristics of the transfused product can affect transfusion efficacy.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Platelet Efficacy Score (PEscore), based on patient and product characteristics, to predict the likelihood of a satisfactory platelet transfusion (absolute increment ≥10.5 × 109/L). This study utilized data relative to 16,265 platelet transfusions performed in 1592 oncohematologic patients. The whole sample was divided into two random samples: a training set, in which different patient-related and transfusion-related characteristics were included in a predictive model to develop the PEscore; and a validation set, in which the predictive properties of the PEscore were confirmed. In the training set, multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed in which the likelihood of attaining a satisfactory transfusion was modeled.
  
  
  
  The predictive score ranged between 0 and 30. Predictive properties of the PEscore were confirmed by the observed rates of satisfactory transfusions in the validation sample; the probability of a satisfactory transfusion was less than 10% for a score less than 12 and exceeded 50% if the score was 22 or higher. The likelihood of a satisfactory transfusion increased by 29% for a 1-unit increase in the PEscore (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-1.31).
  
  
  
  The availability of a prediction score can increase transfusion efficacy, help the transfusion medicine specialist in the choice of the best product for the individual patient, and avoid waste of resources.
authors.affiliation: Center of Transfusion Medicine, Civil Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quaglietta
authors.affiliation: Center of Transfusion Medicine, Civil Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Saverio
authors.affiliation: Center for Outcomes Research and Clinical Epidemiology, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucisano
authors.affiliation: Center of Transfusion Medicine, Civil Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Accorsi
authors.affiliation: Center for Outcomes Research and Clinical Epidemiology, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment