EPO and diabetes mellitus: Point values were allocated to the significant factors depending on the HR as determined by the multivariate Cox regression analysis: dexamethasone scored 3 points, diabetes scored 1 point, an ECOG performance status of > 2 scored 1 point, erythropoietin-stimulating agent scored 3 points, a VTE history or a family history of thrombosis scored 3 points (Table 2).