Laboratory characteristics of direct antiglobulin test-positive anemia in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
Immunoglobulin G predominates in direct antiglobulin test-positive myeloma-related anemia
Laboratory characteristics of direct antiglobulin test-positive anemia in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
This study retrospectively characterized the laboratory features of direct antiglobulin test (direct antiglobulin test)-positive anemia in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (myeloma) and explored associated immunologic alterations to better understand myeloma-related immune dysregulation.
We enrolled 77 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma admitted to our hospital between 2021 and 2025.
Compared with the direct antiglobulin test-negative group, direct antiglobulin test-positive patients had lower albumin, sodium, and potassium levels as well as a lower albumin to globulin ratio but higher levels of globulin and ferritin as well as higher absolute lymphocyte counts (all P < .05).
Flow cytometric analysis showed increased T-cell-related parameters, particularly CD8-positive T cells, in the direct antiglobulin test-positive group, whereas reduced natural killer-cell and B-cell counts were more common in the direct antiglobulin test-negative group.
DISCUSSION: The observed laboratory profile suggested a more pronounced state of inflammatory or immune activation and electrolyte disturbances, highlighting the need for improved clinical recognition and detection of potential immune-mediated red blood cell injury, hemolytic predisposition, and related immune abnormalities.