The Burden of Blood Transfusions Associated With Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (LR-MDS): Findings From a Survey of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in Brazil, Germany, and Japan

OBJECTIVES: To assess the burden of blood transfusions for patients with LR-MDS in Brazil, Germany, and Japan.

METHODS: This study was based on a pragmatic literature review (PLR) followed by an online survey. Survey respondents were HCPs (hematologists, primary care physicians, hematology nurses, pharmacists, blood-unit administrators, and procurement managers). HCPs must have been involved in the management, treatment, and care of ≥ 3 patients with LR-MDS, and ≥ 2 patients with LR-MDS undergoing transfusions within the last year. Information was collected on required HCP, patient, and caregiver time, adverse events (AEs) associated with transfusions, and blood-supply shortages.

RESULTS: The PLR did not find sufficient published information to inform this study. The online survey was completed by 55 (Brazil), 60 (Germany), and 66 (Japan) respondents, mostly hematologists. Responses showed that patients with LR-MDS spent a median of 5.5 hours (Brazil), 4.5 hours (Germany), and 4 hours (Japan) per transfusion, respectively. Caregivers accompanied 80%, 37.5%, and 60% of patients, respectively. Monitoring of patients during blood transfusions was performed mostly by nurses, who spent a median of 1 hour (Brazil), 1.5 hours (Germany), and 2.5 hours (Japan) per patient. Transfusion-related AEs occurred in 12.5% of transfusions in Brazil and 5% each in Germany and Japan, with allergic reactions being the most frequent AEs. Owing to blood-supply shortages, a median delay of 2 days was reported in 10% of transfusions in Brazil, and in 5% each in Germany and Japan. Within the past year, 58.2% of respondents (Brazil), 46.6% (Germany), and 24.6% (Japan) reported delays in treatment because of blood-supply shortages.

CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a considerable burden of blood transfusion in LR-MDS on HCPs, patients, and caregivers, in addition to delays in blood supplies. Such a burden highlights the need for improved blood transfusion service provision and to adopt alternative solutions.