Myelodysplastic Syndrome Symptoms
The myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms depend upon the type of blood cells affected. Some of the myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms are:
1. Fatigue and Weakness
Fatigue and weakness are among the most common myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms, especially in patients with low red blood cell levels. Low red blood cell levels below a specific limit characterize anemia. Studies have reported a strong negative association of fatigue and weakness with reduced quality of life.
Apart from low red blood cell levels, several factors contribute to chronic fatigue in patients with MDS. These factors include high oxidative stress, sleep disturbances, altered vascular function, and impaired physical conditioning.
2. Frequent Infections
Frequent infections are also one of the common myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms. The risk of infection or occurrence of frequent infections is because of the low levels of neutrophils. These are the types of white blood cells that assist the body in fighting against pathogens.
Apart from the low levels of neutrophils and functional neutrophil impairment, several other factors contribute to the development of frequent infections in patients with MDS. These include iron overload due to red blood cell transfusion (excess free iron alters the natural resistance to infection) and defects in the B-cells, T-cells, and NK cells. The majority of infections in patients with MDS are bacterial.
3. Easy Bruising and Bleeding
Easy bruising and bleeding are the common myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms. Platelets in the blood are responsible for preventing bleeding through blood clotting. Patients with MDS have low levels of platelets, which result in an increased risk of bleeding and bruising. The condition with low platelet levels is known as thrombocytopenia.
Approximately 35% to 40% of patients with MDS experience thrombocytopenia as one of the myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms. These patients complain of frequent minor mucocutaneous bleeding or easy bruising. Such patients may also present with petechiae or purpura. In severe cases, the patients may have an increased risk for hemorrhage or gastrointestinal bleeding.
4. Shortness of Breath
It is also an MDS disease symptom. Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a sign of anemia in patients with MDS. Anemia also negatively affects lung function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with MDS.
Further, the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with MDS also affect lung function. Studies have demonstrated unfavorable effects on lung function tests because of the elevated levels of NF-kB and IL-8.
5. Pale or Jaundiced Skin
Pale or jaundiced skin is also a symptom of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients with MDS, especially with sideroblastic anemia, are presented with pale skin and conjunctival pallor. These patients may also have bronze-colored skin because of iron overload. Pale or jaundiced skin is caused by the low levels of red blood cells in patients with MDS.
Understanding Myelodysplastic Syndrome Causes
Certain factors have been found to increase the risk of MDS, and they are referred to as myelodysplastic syndrome risk factors. The possible MDS causes include:
Recognizing When to Seek Medical Advice
The early symptoms of MDS are subtle and usually overlap with symptoms of other benign conditions. Thus, the patients should pay attention to the initial symptoms and consult the doctor to rule out the presence of MDS.
Some of the early symptoms of MDS are shortness of breath, fatigue, anemia, pale or jaundiced skin, frequent infections, easy bruising and bleeding, severe nosebleeds, dizziness, tiredness, bone pain, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Importance of Early Symptom Recognition and Medical Evaluations
There are several advantages of early symptom recognition and medical evaluation. These are:
1. More treatment options: Patients recognizing the disease early because of symptom recognition have more treatment options than those with advanced disease.
2. Early recovery: When MDS is diagnosed at an early stage, the drug used is of low potency, and a low dose may be required. Thus, the patients have fewer severe side effects and require less time for recovery.
3. Enhanced quality of life: Patients with early symptom recognition have enhanced quality of life because their symptoms are managed through appropriate treatment.
4. Low financial burden: Diseases recognized early can be managed through conventional treatment and usually do not require advanced treatment. There is also an early recovery. All these factors help reduce the financial burden on patients.
5. Increased survival: Early symptom recognition and myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosis have a more favorable prognosis than patients diagnosed at advanced stages.
Conclusion
The MDS signs and symptoms are nonexclusive and overlap with various conditions. It is thus important not to ignore any of the symptoms. Some of the MDS symptoms include fatigue and weakness, frequent infections, easy bruising and bleeding, shortness of breath, and pale or jaundiced skin. The myelodysplasia causes include genetic factors, environmental and occupational exposure to toxic substances, smoking, and obesity. The MDS disease causes also include a history of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Chronic fatigue in myelodysplastic syndromes: Looking beyond anemia - ScienceDirect
- Infections in myelodysplastic syndromes - PMC
- A Primary Care Approach to Myelodysplastic Syndromes - PMC
- Myelodysplastic syndrome patients present more severe respiratory muscle impairment and reduced forced vital capacity: Is disordered inflammatory signaling the culprit? - PMC
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Risk Factors | American Cancer Society
- Obesity, lifestyle factors, and risk of myelodysplastic syndromes in a large US cohort - PubMed
