Transfusion Thresholds, Quality of Life, and Current Approaches in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Table 1

Practical considerations in myelodysplasia.

Improving quality of life	Enrol patients in clinical trials with liberal transfusion thresholds where possible; Avoid large fluctuations in hemoglobin levels; Adopt a holistic approach including the psychological and social needs of the patients; Consider home transfusion strategies for the frailer patient; Use validated QoL questionnaires in different time points
Minimizing transfusion related complications	Use growth factors and erythropoietin stimulating agents as per international guidelines; Enrol patients in clinical trials with iron chelation therapies; Consider extended matching for the Rhesus and Kelly blood groups to minimize the risk of alloimmunization