International Prognostic Scoring System

The International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), published in 1997, is used by many doctors to help assess the severity of a patient's myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Based on the IPSS score, the patient's history, and his/her personal observations, the physician will design a treatment plan to address the MDS.

Process

The IPSS uses three "prognostic indicators" to develop a "score" which may be useful in understanding how the MDS may progress:

• the proportion of blast cells in the bonemarrow
• the type of chromosomal changes, if any, in the marrow cells
• the presence of one or more low blood cell counts (cytopenias)

Each indicator is rated according to its severity and the ratings are combined into a "score."

Scores are sorted into one of four risk categories:

• low
• intermediate-1
• intermediate-2
• high

The two lower categories can be further described as the lower risk group while the two upper categories can be further described as the higher risk group.

A revised IPSS, IPSS-R was published in 2012. IPSS-R is more refined in its prognostic precision and includes five instead of four prognostic groups.