The diagnostic and prognostic significance of flow cytometric bone marrow assessment in myelodysplastic syndromes according to the European LeukemiaNet recommendations in single‐centre real‐life experience.

Introduction: This analysis attempts to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of bone marrow (BM) evaluation by multiparameter flow cytometry in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Materials and methods: The study group consisted of patients who underwent diagnostic process in the years 2008‐2017 due to cytopenia and finally were diagnosed with MDS (n = 71). The comparative group included patients with cytopenia diagnosed in the same period, whose definitive diagnosis was other than MDS (n = 39). Flow cytometric evaluation of BM was performed following the recommendations of the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) in all patients. Results: The median number of immunophenotypic abnormalities found on granulocytes in the MDS group was significantly higher compared to the comparative group [2 (range 0‐5) vs 0 (range 0‐2); P <.0001]. Similarly, the median Ogata score was significantly higher in the MDS group [2 (range 0‐4) vs 1 (range 0‐3); P <.0001]. Since the disturbances of the CD11b/HLA‐DR and CD11b/CD13 on granulocytes were significantly more common in MDS patients, the Ogata score was extended by these abnormalities, what resulted in its higher diagnostic sensitivity (82%) while preserving high specificity (87%). The positive correlation was found between risk score determined by the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System and the number of the BM immunophenotypic abnormalities (P =.017). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the diagnostic usefulness of the Ogata score may be increased by including the abnormal expression of CD11b/HLA‐DR and CD11b/CD13 on granulocytes. Moreover, our findings suggest the prognostic significance of the number of BM cytometric abnormalities in MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]