Course and Prognosis
Sideroblastic anemias are often described as responsive or non responsive in terms of increased Hb level to pharmacological doses of vitamin B6.
1- Hereditary-80% are responsive, though the hematology does not revert completely to normal.
2- Primary acquired-40% are responsive, but the response may be slight and is usually suboptimal.
3- Secondary-60% are responsive, the response also depending on the effectiveness of the treatment of associated conditions.
Severe refractory sideroblastic anemias requiring regular transfusions and/or leukemic transformation (5-10%) significantly reduce life expectancy.
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