Review Article
The Role of Myelogram in the Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Neoplasms
Arrama Hamza*,
Bouchara Arwa,
Loubadi Youssef,
Dakki Youssef,
Orchi Ilham,
Essahli Khadija,
Kahouli Sophia,
Zahid Hafid
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 2, April 2026
Pages:
17-26
Received:
13 February 2026
Accepted:
2 March 2026
Published:
23 March 2026
Abstract: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) constitute a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders, characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, peripheral cytopenias, and a risk of progression to acute leukemia. We report the results of a retrospective descriptive study of 100 MDS cases diagnosed at the hematology laboratory of HMIMV in Rabat over a 7-year period (January 2018 to December 2024), using a standardized data collection form for epidemiological, clinical, and biological data. The main objective of this work was to analyze the diagnostic contribution of bone marrow examination in MDS, specifying its indications and the main abnormalities observed. The mean age at diagnosis was 69 years (range: 41-93 years), with a moderate male predominance (sex ratio = 1.38). Clinically, anemic syndrome was the most frequent presenting manifestation (70%), followed by hemorrhagic manifestations (12%) and infectious manifestations (10%). Biological analysis revealed anemia in 90% of patients (mean hemoglobin: 9 g/dL), thrombocytopenia in 63% of cases, and leukopenia in 42% of cases. The anemia was normocytic in 55.6% of cases, macrocytic in 33.3%, and microcytic in 11.1%. Bone marrow examination revealed dyserythropoiesis in 92% of patients, dysgranulopoiesis in 65% of cases, and dysmegakaryopoiesis in 45% of cases. The median percentage of bone marrow blasts was 4.89%. According to the 2016 WHO classification, MDS-MLD were the most frequent (48%), followed by MDS-EB1 (21%) and MDS-EB2 (12%). The results of this study are consistent with national and international literature data, confirming the central role of bone marrow examination in MDS diagnosis and highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for optimal management of these complex hematological malignancies.
Abstract: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) constitute a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders, characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, peripheral cytopenias, and a risk of progression to acute leukemia. We report the results of a retrospective descriptive study of 100 MDS cases diagnosed at the hematology laboratory of HMIMV in R...
Show More
Research Article
Effectiveness of Back Massage as a Nursing Intervention for Chronic Pain in Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Study
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 2, April 2026
Pages:
27-38
Received:
6 June 2026
Accepted:
18 June 2026
Published:
8 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ejcbs.20261202.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Older people are likely to be managing multiple medications, multiple chronic conditions, and reduced physiological reserve, and often experience substantial symptoms from RA. While pharmacological disease-modifying agents are key to RA treatment, they are mostly directed against the underlying inflammation rather than pain. Hence, non-pharmacological add-on tools that can be incorporated into the normal nursing routine have clinical relevance and have not been well studied in the elderly RA population. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of structured back massage as a type of nurse-delivered intervention for the reduction of chronic pain in an elderly patient with long-standing RA. A qualitative-quantitative single-subject case study was used that lasted for four consecutive weeks. Eight weeks of structured back massage (twice a week for 30-40 min) were conducted on a 74-year-old woman with an 11-year history of seropositive RA. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used pre- and post-session for the assessment of pain intensity. Secondary outcomes were the duration of morning stiffness, as-needed (PRN) analgesic use, and patient-reported functional domain ratings, which were assessed at weeks two and four using structured interviews. The overall reduction in VAS pain scores, from a baseline of 7.8 to a post-intervention VAS of 2.6, was 66.7%. The duration of morning stiffness decreased from 87 minutes to 31 minutes (64.4% reduction). The number of doses of PRN analgesics was halved —from five doses per week to one. The use of PRN analgesics was halved, from five to one dose per week. The results showed improvements reported by the patients in six functional domains, the most prominent being the decrease in pain intensity perception, improvement in mood, and increase in activity tolerance. This elderly patient with RA had clinically significant decreases in pain and stiffness after receiving massage without any adverse effects. The results of this study suggest that massage therapy should be included in individualized care plans for older adults with RA. There is need for larger controlled trials to determine generalizability and optimum protocol parameters.
Abstract: Older people are likely to be managing multiple medications, multiple chronic conditions, and reduced physiological reserve, and often experience substantial symptoms from RA. While pharmacological disease-modifying agents are key to RA treatment, they are mostly directed against the underlying inflammation rather than pain. Hence, non-pharmacologi...
Show More
,
Jawad Karim
