Differences In Community and Academic Practice Patterns For Newly Diagnosed Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Patients In Minnesota: A Population Based Study

Expanding treatment options for MDS have changed therapeutic decision-making for clinicians. To better characterize therapeutic choices in newly diagnosed MDS, we report the practice patterns captured during the first year of MDS diagnosis for patients enrolled in our statewide population-based study. We highlight a comparison of treatment in community and academic centers.

Adults in Minnesota with MDS (AIMMS) is a statewide prospective population-based study conducted by the University of Minnesota (UMN), Mayo Clinic, and Minnesota Department of Health. Starting in April 2010, all newly diagnosed adult cases (ages 20+) of MDS were invited to participate. After patient enrollment, central review was performed consisting of independent hematopathology and cytogenetic review coupled with oncologist chart review assigning prognostic risk scores [International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and IPSS-R (Revised)] and abstracting treatment exposures. All enrolled patients with one year follow-up were included in this analysis. Treatment was divided into supportive, active, transplant, or other. Supportive care included observation, growth factors, and transfusions. Active care included azacitidine, decitabine, lenalidomide, or 7+3 chemotherapy. Academic centers were defined as the UMN and Mayo Clinic; all other centers were designated as community based practices.

The median patient age was 73 years, with 68% males. IPSS and IPSS-R risk scores were calculated for 100% and 97% of patients, respectively.

Treatment choices stratified by IPSS risk group showed 89% low risk, 53% INT-1, 31% INT-2, and 13% high risk with supportive care; active and transplant strategies were utilized for 9% low risk, 44% INT-1, 64% INT-2, and 88% high risk. INT-1 in the community received 70% supportive treatment, in academic 35%. Active treatment for INT-1 was 30% in community and 45% in academic. Community INT-2 received supportive care in 45% of cases, in academic 23%. Transplants were limited to academic centers, with the highest rate in INT-2 at 34%.

Among community diagnoses, 100% of high risk, 52% INT-2, 26% INT-1, and 13% low risk were referred to an academic center. Comparison of age <65 and 65+ years showed 83% of transplants occurred in those <65. INT-2/high risk group patients <65 received 95% active therapy or transplant, compared to 51% of those 65+.

This prospective, population based study provides a well-defined patient cohort based on central review of pathologic and clinical data. Evaluation of practice patterns during the first year after diagnosis showed higher utilization of active and transplant treatment strategies as IPSS risk score increased. Further, compared to community, higher utilization occurred for patients at academic centers, suggesting more aggressive treatment in these settings. Age was also a predictor of treatment choice. In addition, referral patterns followed IPSS score. Whether these treatment differences are driven by patient preference and/or translate into improved disease control and decreased mortality requires continued prospective analysis and will be detailed in future reports.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.