Hb indicates hemoglobin; ANC, absolute neutrophil count; PLT, platelet count; IPSS, International Prognostic Scoring System; and IPSS-R, revised IPSS.

*Diagnostic cytopenias refer to threshold levels used as criteria for various BM failure syndromes. In this table, thresholds used as criteria to diagnose MDS and ICUS are shown. It is important to note that apart from these lower blood count levels, other criteria have to be fulfilled as well to establish the diagnosis MDS or ICUS and the cytopenia must be persistent (> 6 months) to count as a criterion.

†The definition and criteria of ICUS were published by a consensus group in 2007.⁹ 

‡Based on the WHO classification, a MDS may also be diagnosed in patients with less severe cytopenia if morphologic and cytogenetic evidence clearly argue for MDS.

§The proposal of the IWGM-MDS group was presented at several MDS meetings.

¶In the white population, ANC values are higher than in people of African descent, in whom ANC levels are often < 1800/μL of blood in healthy controls.