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% |
Specialty: Clinical Laboratory, Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general