Simba et al reported predictors for red blood cell transfusion in a patient with Hodgkin's disease. A patient at higher risk may benefit from interventions to reduce transfusions or need therapy to reduce total body iron. The authors are from the University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa.
Patient selection: Hodgkin's disease
Predictors of red blood cell transfusion:
(1) International Prognostic Score (IPS) for Hodgkin disease, either IPS-7 or IPS-3
(2) HIV-positive (OR 4.0 in model 1, 5.2 in model 2, and 2.7 in model 3)
(3) hemoglobin < 10.5 g/dL (OR 7.5 in model 1 and 4.3 in model 3)
(4) serum albumin < 4.0 g/dL (OR 39 in model 1)
(5) Lugano stage IV (OR 7.4 in model 1 and 2.8 in model 3)
The risk of transfusion increased:
(1) 2 times for each unit increase in IPS-7, or 2^((score)-1)
(2) 2.5 times for each unit increase in IPS-3
