Cardiovascular risk in elderly Egyptians with myelodysplastic syndromes

Abstract Background Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal stem cell-derived disorders manifested by cytopenias peripherally. MDS initiates an inflammatory process which lead to atherosclerosis. Patients with MDS have 1.5-fold higher risks of cardiovascular risks. Objective Evaluation of cardiovascular risk and unraveling the possible correlation of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) with clinical, hematologic, and laboratory variables in elderly patients with MDS. Methods We conducted a case–control research on 168 participants to elicit the serum level of homocysteine, serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), and CIMT in relation to cardiovascular risk, 84 of whom had MDS diagnoses. From March 2021 to the end of May 2023, we chose them among the inpatients and outpatients of the Menoufia University Hospitals’ Clinical Hematology Division. We contrasted the chosen MDS patients with 84 healthy individuals as controls. Results Right and left CIMT were significantly higher in MDS patients than controls as well as for lipid profile, blood pressure, blood sugar, and Hs-CRP. Homocysteine was higher in MDS patients but of no statistical significance. Conclusion As CIMT and C-reactive protein level were significantly higher in studied patients, we may consider MDS group of patients to have higher risk for cardiovascular disease than normal people.