Inflammatory Rheumatologic disorders in patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of rheumatologic manifestations associated with MDS. METHODS: Eighty patients with MDS were evaluated by history and physical examination for inflammatory rheumatologic disorders from Jan 2013 to May 2014. Patients who had any signs or symptoms of rheumatologic disorders underwent evaluation by laboratory tests. Patients with and without inflammatory rheumatic disorders were compared for their characteristics. RESULTS: Of 80 participants with MDS, 9 (11.3%) patients were diagnosed as having rheumatic disorders. MDS patients with or without rheumatologic disorder were similar in demographic and hematologic parameters, except age which was lower in patients with rheumatologic disorders. (p=0.016). In younger patients, refractory cytopenia and refractory cytopenia with multilinage dysplasia were more prevalent. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that rheumatologic manifestations may be present in MDS patients. Younger patients are more prone to the occurrence of MDS and rheumatic disorders.