From the Research
Aplastic anemia is diagnostically categorized into acquired and inherited forms, with severity classified as non-severe, severe, or very severe based on neutrophil count, platelet count, and reticulocyte count, as noted in a recent study 1. The diagnostic categories of aplastic anemia are crucial for determining the appropriate treatment strategies and prognosis.
- Acquired aplastic anemia includes idiopathic, drug-induced, radiation-induced, viral-associated, and immune-mediated forms.
- Inherited types include Fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. The severity of aplastic anemia is classified based on the following criteria:
- Non-severe aplastic anemia: bone marrow cellularity <50% with at least one of the following: neutrophils <1.5×10^9/L, platelets <100×10^9/L, and reticulocytes <60×10^9/L.
- Severe aplastic anemia: bone marrow cellularity <25% with at least two of the following: neutrophils <0.5×10^9/L, platelets <20×10^9/L, and reticulocytes <20×10^9/L.
- Very severe aplastic anemia: has the same criteria as severe aplastic anemia but with neutrophils <0.2×10^9/L, as described in a study published in 2023 1. This classification is essential for determining the best course of treatment, which may include supportive care, immunosuppressive therapy, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, depending on the severity and etiology of the disease, as discussed in a review article 2. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as well as the need for individualized approaches to management, taking into account the patient's age, overall health, and availability of suitable donors for transplantation, as highlighted in a study published in 2017 3. Overall, the diagnostic categories of aplastic anemia play a critical role in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes, as noted in a study published in 2018 4.