Association between red blood cell transfusion dependence and burden in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of malignant hematologic diseases characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, which may lead to chronic anemia and transfusion dependency, with up to 30% of patients progressing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies suggest transfusion dependency may impact overall survival (OS); however, there is a lack of evidence concerning the association between transfusion status (TS) and OS in patients with MDS who become transfusion independent (TI) after treatment. In addition, the holistic impact of TS on other clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes has not been well understood. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to understand this impact. Ten studies were included and showed consistent decrease in OS in transfusion dependent (TD) compared with TI patients. These findings were confirmed by a meta-analysis (MA) reporting better OS prognosis for TI patients. A second SLR was conducted to understand the association between TS and other clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes. Twenty-eight studies were included and showed better prognosis for other outcomes, including AML progression and leukemia-free survival for TI patients. Risk of AML progression and cumulative non-leukemic death assessed by the MA showed a trend toward worse prognosis and higher risk of AML progression for TD patients. Lower healthcare resource utilization, better quality of life, and reduced non-leukemic death for TI patients were observed. Studies not eligible for MA also showed better clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes for TI patients. These findings contribute to understanding the association between transfusion dependence and OS among other outcomes in patients with MDS.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular risk factor management in selected Asian countries.

Aim: There is a need to understand the management status of hypertension, dyslipidemia/hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to summarize the awareness, treatment, and/or control rates of these risk factors in adults across 11 APAC countries/regions. Results: We included 138 studies. Individuals with dyslipidemia had the lowest pooled rates compared with those with other risk factors. Levels of awareness with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were comparable. Individuals with hypercholesterolemia had a statistically lower pooled treatment rate but a higher pooled control rate than those with hypertension. Conclusion: The management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus was suboptimal in these 11 countries/regions.