While the number of patients with a HALP score > 67.5 was found higher in MDS patients with intermediate-risk under the IPSS score, with high and very high risks by the R-IPSS score and receiving AZA treatment, the number of those with the HALP score ≤ 67.5 was found to be higher among the cases treated with EPO. Here, EPO is linked to myelodysplastic syndrome.