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Incidence, Prevalence, Costs, and Unmet Needs of MDS
Taking a new look at the data
Incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the US has been seriously underestimated, according to a study of electronic pathology reports and Medicare billing claims data. Researchers found:
•True incidence of MDS per 100,000 people is an estimated 5.3 to 13.1 for all ages, and 75 to 162 for people aged ≥65 years.
•MDS prevalence is an estimated 60,000 to 170,000 and projected to grow.
•Patients with MDS receiving transfusions had significantly higher healthcare costs (3-year mean of $88,824 vs $29,519 for no transfusion).
•Most MDS patients receiving transfusions do not receive active therapies, despite strong evidence that hypomethylating agents and lenalidomide significantly reduce transfusion burden.
•Other unmet needs include high need for treatment options after failing first-line therapy and shared decision making by older MDS patients.
Citation: Cogle CR. Incidence and burden of the myelodysplastic syndromes. [Published online ahead of print July 2, 2015]. Curr Hematol Malig Rep. doi: 10.1007/s11899-015-0269-y.