[Immunologic phenomena as the first sign of myelodysplastic syndrome]

Two patients, men aged 77 and 66 years, presented with a vasculitis. Due to an abnormal blood smear they were referred to the internist, who subsequently diagnosed a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). They were initially treated with a high dose of corticosteroids and this dosage later became a maintenance dose. Immunological phenomena occur in 10-14% of MDS patients and seem to have a poor prognosis. Most patients respond well to treatment with corticosteroids. Occasionally, favourable haematological responses to corticosteroid therapy are seen, although this was not the case in the two patients described. When patients present with an immunological disorder, such as a vasculitis or an autoimmune disease, it is important to be aware of the possibility of an underlying MDS.