Myelodysplastic syndromes and autoimmunity

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by inefficient hematopoiesis and result in peripheral cytopenia. This heterogenous disease group arises from clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells. Several cohort studies and numerous case reports have highlighted a link between MDS and autoimmune disorders. Patients with MDS are more prone to develop particular systemic inflammatory diseases. On the other hand, patients suffering from autoimmune diseases are at higher risk to develop MDS. The scope of this article is to review the association between myelodysplasia and autoimmunity. It gives practical clues when to look for MDS in a patient suffering from autoimmunity and lists the main autoimmune diseases which may complicate the course of a MDS.