Improving clinical care and elucidating the pathophysiology of Diamond Blackfan anemia: An update from the Diamond Blackfan Anemia Registry

Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder characterized by red cell aplasia, congenital anomalies, and a predisposition to cancer. Although incompletely understood, the erythroid failure in DBA appears to result from the accelerated apoptosis of affected erythroid progenitors/precursors. One of what appears to be multiple DBA genes, coding for a ribosomal protein RPS 19, has been cloned. Even within multiplex families individuals may vary dramatically as to the degree of anemia, response to treatment and the presence of congenital anomalies. The Diamond Blackfan Anemia Registry (DBAR), a comprehensive database of pediatric and adult patients with DBA who are enrolled after informed consent, was designed to overcome two significant obstacles encountered in the study of a rare disease; the reporting bias inherent in the literature and the lack of an active patient database. To enroll, patients, their families and their physicians complete a detailed questionnaire. A review of medical records and telephone interviews are performed to complete and clarify the information provided. As of May 1, 2005, 420 patients have been enrolled in the DBAR. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data have been collected and analyzed. The DBAR has provided new information on the clinical presentation, outcome and genetics of DBA as well as a better description of congenital malformations and cancer predisposition. This has resulted both in improved clinical care of patients with DBA as well as providing new insights into the pathophysiology of this complex disorder.