Baseline demographic characteristics of study patients
| Variable . | Arm A: SC, % (n = 57) . | Arm B: EPO, % (n = 53) . | Total, % (n = 110) . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age ≥ 65 y | 88 | 81 | 85 |
| Male sex | 63 | 62 | 63 |
| MDS subtype | |||
| RA | 39 | 38 | 38 |
| RARS | 30 | 38 | 34 |
| RAEB | 30 | 23 | 26 |
| CMML | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Platelets < 100 000/cmm | 30 | 25 | 27 |
| Ferritin > 500 ng/mL | 58 | 53 | 56 |
| EPO < 200 mU/mL | 67 | 72 | 69 |
| Cytogenetics* | |||
| Good | 70 | 71 | 71 |
| Intermediate | 16 | 15 | 15 |
| Poor | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| IPSS category | |||
| Low/intermediate-1 | 84 | 83 | 83 |
| Intermediate-2/high | 16 | 17 | 17 |
| Prior transfusion support | 61 | 60 | 61 |
| Variable . | Arm A: SC, % (n = 57) . | Arm B: EPO, % (n = 53) . | Total, % (n = 110) . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age ≥ 65 y | 88 | 81 | 85 |
| Male sex | 63 | 62 | 63 |
| MDS subtype | |||
| RA | 39 | 38 | 38 |
| RARS | 30 | 38 | 34 |
| RAEB | 30 | 23 | 26 |
| CMML | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Platelets < 100 000/cmm | 30 | 25 | 27 |
| Ferritin > 500 ng/mL | 58 | 53 | 56 |
| EPO < 200 mU/mL | 67 | 72 | 69 |
| Cytogenetics* | |||
| Good | 70 | 71 | 71 |
| Intermediate | 16 | 15 | 15 |
| Poor | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| IPSS category | |||
| Low/intermediate-1 | 84 | 83 | 83 |
| Intermediate-2/high | 16 | 17 | 17 |
| Prior transfusion support | 61 | 60 | 61 |
International Prognostic Scoring System risk category.2