Objective To observe the clinical effect of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in the treatment of patients with intermediate- and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 58 patients with intermediate-and high-risk MDS. The study group(25 patients) received azacitidine or decitabine for hypomethylating treatment, while the control group(33 patients) received routine symptomatic supportive treatment. The clinical efficacy, hematologic parameters, quality of life, and adverse events were observed and compared between the two groups.

Results After treatment, the complete remission rate, objective response rate, and disease control rate were higher in the study group than in the control group, while the disease progression rate was lower (P < 0.05). The 1-year survival rate was 92.00% in the study group, which was higher than 75.76% in the control group, but the difference showed no statistically significant (P>0.05). After treatment, hemoglobin, white blood cell, and platelet levels were higher in both groups than before treatment, and were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The total incidence of adverse events was lower in the study group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the quality of life scores (physical function, cognitive function, emotional function, role function, and social function) were higher in the study group than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion HMAs treatment is superior to routine symptomatic supportive treatment in patients with intermediate-and high-risk MDS, and not only improves the quality of life but also has good safety.