EPO and diabetes mellitus: Finally, the multivariate analysis revealed the following significant variables: the use of dexamethasone (HR: 5.51, P = 0.002); diabetes (HR: 2.41, P = 0.016); ECOG performance status > 2 (HR: 2.29, P = 0.015); the use of an erythropoietin-stimulating agent (HR: 6.24, P < 0.001); and a VTE history or a family history of thrombosis (HR: 5.00, P < 0.001).