Storey et al developed an iron score for evaluating patients receiving a stem cell transplant. This correlates with overall survival following the transplant. The authors are from Wake Forest University and New York University Downtown Hospital.
Patient selection: stem cell transplant. There is not mention of testing for hemochromatosis.
Parameters:
(1) number of red blood cell units transfused prior to the transplant
(2) serum ferritin in ng/mL
(3) semiquantitative bone marrow iron (on a 0 to 6+ scale)
Parameter
Finding
Points
units of PRBCs transfused
<= 25
0
> 25
1
serum ferritin
<= 1,000 ng/mL (µg/L)
0
> 1,000 ng/mL
1
bone marrow iron
0 to 5+
0
6+
1
iron score =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 3
• The higher the score the greater the mortality.
• The authors hypothesized that the increased mortality was related to an increased susceptibility to serious infections.
Iron Score
Interpretation
Overall 5-Year Survival
0 or 1
low
45%
2 or 3
high
11%
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