WBC Count and WBC to Hb Ratio Could Predict Short-Term Recurrence Rate in Multiple Myeloma Patients Underwent Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Hengameh Mojdeganlou; Ata Abbasi; Rahim Asghari

doi:10.18502/acta.v61i4.13171

Hengameh Mojdeganlou Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Ata Abbasi Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Rahim Asghari Hematology, Immune Cell Therapy and Stem Cells Transplantation Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/acta.v61i4.13171

Keywords: Multiple myeloma; Complete blood count; Recurrence; Prognosis

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy with a variable clinical course. We investigated the prognostic role of routine laboratory factors including CBC indices and serum vitamin D levels to predict MM recurrence after receiving an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). 29 patients were enrolled. Before ASCT, demographic data and CBC, serum Cr, and Vit D levels were obtained. Patients underwent bone marrow aspiration (BMA) and biopsy (BMB) before ASCT and pretransplant plasma cell counts were also evaluated. Patients were followed for 6 months and BMA and biopsy were done in the 3^rd and 6^th month of the follow-up to detect recurrence. Overall, 9 patients were reported to have recurrence. The patient's WBC count mean was 13.3±11.6. WBC count was lower in patients with overall recurrence (P=0.005). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to WBC count (<5.5 10⁹/L and ≥5.5 10⁹/L) and we found that WBC count <5.5 10⁹/L was associated with increased risk of recurrence by 15.2 times (Odds ratio: 15.2, 95%CI: 1.4-168, P=0.005). We also evaluated Wbc to Hb ratio (Wbc/Hb) and found that Wbc/Hb <1 had a significant statistical relationship with overall recurrence (P=0.026) as patients with WBC/Hb <1 were in 9.8 times increased risk of recurrence (Odds ratio:9.8, 95% CI: 2-93.5, P=0.026). pretransplant WBC <5.5 10⁹/L and WBC/Hb <1 were associated with 9.8 and 15.2 times increased risk of myeloma recurrence and could be useful predictive factors for a patient's short-term recurrence.