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2 New Prognostic Risk Factors for POEMS Syndrome

Am J Hematol; 2016 Jun; Kourelis, Buadi, et al

Publish date:: June 1, 2016

The presence of albumin at diagnosis and attaining complete hematologic response are 2 new prognostic risk factors for POEMS syndrome, according to a study involving 291 individuals.

Investigators looked at differences in how patients with POEMS syndrome were diagnosed, managed, and followed at Mayo Clinic over a 40-year period ending in 2014. Among the results:

• Those diagnosed after 2003 had more features of the syndrome identified at diagnosis.

• About half received autologous transplant, vs 8% diagnosed before 2003.

• 41% of those diagnosed after 2003 achieved a hematologic complete response to treatment, vs 25% for those diagnosed prior.

• 10-year overall survival was 62%.

• 3 factors linked with superior overall survival were younger age, albumin greater-than 3.2 g/Dl, and attaining complete hematologic response.

Citation: Kourelis T, Buadi F, Kumar S, et al. Long-term outcome of patients with POEMS syndrome: An update of the Mayo Clinic experience. Am J Hematol. 2016;91(6):585-589. doi:10.1002/ajh.24356.

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