Effective Treatment Of Anemia Research Articles

Current Utilization and Research Status of Herbal Medicine Sipjeondaebotang for Anemia: A Scoping Review.

Anemia is a global health issue affecting diverse populations, particularly older adults, and conventional treatments often show limited efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization and effectiveness of Sipjeondaebotang (SDT), a prescription drug used in traditional East Asian medicine, in treating various types of anemia. A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Six electronic databases were searched for clinical studies on SDT, while focusing on human participants and excluding animal and cellular studies. Sixteen studies, including nine randomized controlled trials, two controlled clinical trials, two case series, and three case reports, involving 863 participants, were analyzed. These studies were primarily conducted in China, Korea, and Japan. According to the analysis, SDT improved hemoglobin levels across all types of anemia studied, with all controlled studies showing significant improvements compared with the control groups. Additionally, SDT reduced blood loss, improved recovery times, and decreased transfusion requirements in patients with post-operative anemia, with lower adverse event rates than those in the control groups. These findings suggest that SDT may enhance hematological parameters and improve overall patient outcomes. In conclusion, SDT may be an effective treatment for anemia that improves hemoglobin levels and patient outcomes. However, further high-quality, large-scale studies are necessary to standardize SDT prescriptions, confirm the optimal treatment duration, and validate its efficacy and safety across different anemia types.

Non-invasive hemoglobin screening device: a promising digital method for reducing anemia prevalence through routine screening and timely intervention

ABSTRACT Background Several non-invasive technologies are nowadays available in the market which claim to determine the hemoglobin levels instantly without the requirement of the blood sample. But no study has shown the significance of such non-invasive devices on a routine basis for determining their impact on anemia reduction programs. This study is conducted to determine the impact of regular hemoglobin screening on the women population to determine its potential in reducing anemia, using a digitalized non-invasive device. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on 203 women of reproductive age group, residing in the Moradabad district. Repetitive readings were taken after a time interval of a minimum of 1 month for determining the impact of regular screening. The entire data collection process was carried out using the EzeCheck mobile app. Results It was observed that the prevalence of anemia was reduced upon the second time screening and was accepted by the women population. Repetitive testing has a significant impact on reducing anemia prevalence. Also, the simplified non-invasive technology for estimating the hemoglobin values, makes the user more comfortable to take the test. Conclusion Non-invasive devices should be used regularly to keep track of hemoglobin levels which will help in the effective treatment of anemia. The mobile app-based testing could help to easily evaluate the reports of the patients from any remote location with instant result interpretation and health assistance.

Treatment of anemic syndrome in patients receiving surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment for breast and colorectal cancer

Introduction. Anemia syndrome is a common disease that reduces the quality and life expectancy of cancer patients. Prevention, timely diagnosis and effective treatment of anemia are statistically significantly associated with a favorable clinical outcome of the treatment of patients, and also contributes to better tolerability of anticancer therapy.Aim. Evaluation of the effectiveness of oral iron preparations and parenteral use of erythropoietin-alpha in patients with breast cancer and colorectal cancer, iron deficiency anemia or severe iron deficiency, immediate and long-term results of treatment, as well as the quality of life of patients with breast cancer and colorectal cancer.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the material from the Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, involved 133 patients (validation group 68 people, control group – 65 people), patients with breast cancer or colorectal cancer, suffering from anemia. Depending on the form of anemia, patients were prescribed therapy – oral iron preparations with epoetin alfa in combination or in monotherapy. The effectiveness of therapy was assessed by the rate of blood hemoglobin. Analysis and statistical processing of results using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. Survival analysis was carried out using the KaplanMeier method. Descriptive statistics methods are used to analyze socio-demographic and traditional patients.Results. With a median follow-up of 61.2 months, the exclusion groups did not have significant differences in overall survival (p > 0.05). However, the group of patients with IDA who received therapy to correct the anemic syndrome and the group with FDA without adequate therapy had a greater significance in terms of 5-year OS (93.5 and 69.6%, respectively; p = 0.02). There were also no significant values for the 5-year DFS indicator (p > 0.05). However, the groups of patients with IDA who received and did not receive therapy to correct anemia probably made a big difference in terms of 5-year DFS (90.3 and 63.9%, respectively; p = 0.025). The group of patients with IDA treated with anemia to correct anemic syndrome clearly differed from the group of patients with FAD without therapy to correct anemia in terms of 5-year OS (90.3 and 43.6%, respectively; p < 0.001).Conclusions. Carrying out antianemic therapy can significantly increase the 5-year relapse-free survival in patients with iron deficiency anemia (90.3 and 63.9%, with and without therapy, respectively; p = 0.025).

The ICaRAS randomised controlled trial: Intravenous iron to treat anaemia in people with advanced cancer – feasibility of recruitment, intervention and delivery

Background: Anaemia is highly prevalent in people with advanced, palliative cancer yet sufficiently effective and safe treatments are lacking. Oral iron is poorly tolerated, and blood transfusion offers only transient benefits. Intravenous iron has shown promise as an effective treatment for anaemia but its use for people with advanced, palliative cancer lacks evidence. Aims: To assess feasibility of the trial design according to screening, recruitment, and attrition rates. To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous iron to treat anaemia in people with solid tumours, receiving palliative care. Design: A multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous iron (ferric derisomaltose, Monofer®). Outcomes included trial feasibility, change in blood indices, and change in quality of life via three validated questionnaires (EQ5D5L, QLQC30, and the FACIT-F) over 8 weeks. (ISRCTN; 13370767). Setting/Participants: People with anaemia and advanced solid tumours who were fatigued with a performance status ⩽2 receiving support from a specialist palliative care service. Results: 34 participants were randomised over 16 months (17 iron, 17 placebo). Among those eligible 47% of people agreed to participate and total study attrition was 26%. Blinding was successful in all participants. There were no serious adverse reactions. Results indicated that intravenous iron may be efficacious at improving participant haemoglobin, iron stores and select fatigue specific quality of life measures compared to placebo. Conclusion: The trial was feasible according to recruitment and attrition rates. Intravenous iron increased haemoglobin and may improve fatigue specific quality of life measures compared to placebo. A definitive trial is required for confirmation.

Recommendations From the International Consensus Conference on Anemia Management in Surgical Patients (ICCAMS).

Perioperative anemia has been associated with increased risk of red blood cell transfusion and increased morbidity and mortality after surgery. The optimal approach to the diagnosis and management of perioperative anemia is not fully established. To develop consensus recommendations for anemia management in surgical patients. An international expert panel reviewed the current evidence and developed recommendations using modified RAND Delphi methodology. The panel recommends that all patients except those undergoing minor procedures be screened for anemia before surgery. Appropriate therapy for anemia should be guided by an accurate diagnosis of the etiology. The need to proceed with surgery in some patients with anemia is expected to persist. However, early identification and effective treatment of anemia has the potential to reduce the risks associated with surgery and improve clinical outcomes. As with preoperative anemia, postoperative anemia should be treated in the perioperative period. Early identification and effective treatment of anemia has the potential to improve clinical outcomes in surgical patients.

ONTraC: A 20-Year History of a Successfully Coordinated Provincewide Patient Blood Management Program: Lessons Learned and Goals Achieved

Our understanding of the risks associated with perioperative anemia and transfusion, in terms of increased morbidity and mortality, has evolved over the past 2 decades. By contrast, our understanding of the potential mechanisms of injury and optimal treatment strategies remains incomplete. As such, the important role of effective patient blood management (PBM) programs, which address both the effective treatment of anemia and minimizes the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, is of central importance to optimizing patient care and improving patient outcomes. We report on important clinical outcomes of the Ontario Transfusion Coordinator (ONTraC Program), a network of 25 hospital sites, working in coordination over the past 20 years. Transfusion nurse coordinators were assigned to apply multimodal best practice in PBM (including recommended changes in surgical approach; diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of anemia; and adherence to more restrictive RBC transfusion thresholds). Data were collected on various clinical parameters. We further described lessons learned and difficulties encountered in this multisite PBM initiative. A significant reduction in RBC transfusions was observed for numerous indexed surgeries. For example, RBC transfusion rates for knee arthroplasty decreased from 25% in 2002 to 0.4% in 2020. For coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, transfusion rates decreased from 60% in 2002 to 27% in 2020. We also observed a decrease in RBC units utilized per transfused patient for knee (2.1 ± 0.5 [2002] vs 1.0 ± 0.6 [2020] units per patient) and CABG surgery (3.3 ± 0.6 [2002] vs 2.3 ± 1.9 [2020] units per patient). These reductions were associated with favorable clinical outcomes, including reduced length of hospital stay (P = .00003) and a reduced rate of perioperative infections (P < .001) for nontransfused versus transfused patients. These advances have been achieved with estimated savings in the tens of millions of dollars annually. Our experience and data support the hypothesis that instituting an integrated network of transfusion nurse coordinators can provide an effective provincewide PBM program, reduce RBC transfusions, improve some patient outcomes, and reduce health care costs, as an example of a "win-win-win" medical program.

O010 The impact of intravenous iron on physical activity levels and quality of life in advanced cancer: results from the ICARUS randomised controlled trial

Abstract Introduction Anaemia and fatigue are highly prevalent in advanced cancer. Intravenous iron (IVI) has shown promise as an effective treatment for anaemia across a number of conditions. For the first time, we explore the impact of IVI on physical activity and quality of life (QoL) in advanced, inoperable cancer. Methods We randomised anaemic, fatigued patients with advanced solid cancers to receive either IVI (iron isomaltoside) or placebo (0.9% NaCl) in a double-blind design. Activity was assessed using a pedometer (Fitbit Flex 2) for 8 days pre- infusion and at 4 and 8 weeks post-infusion. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was defined as 600 daily steps. Three validated QoL questionnaires were completed at the same timepoints. Results 34 patients were recruited over 15 months (17 IVI, 17 placebo). Haemoglobin was higher with IVI at 4 weeks (MD 7.3g/L, P=0.047) and 8 weeks (MD 4.3g/L, P=0.13). At 8 weeks the mean difference in daily steps was 1707 (1142) steps (IVI +318 [1195] from baseline; placebo -1658 [2846]). On QoL measures global health (MD 15.8, P=0.027) and social functioning (MD 14.9, P=0.019) improved with IVI at 4 weeks. Fatigue scores exceeded the intergroup MCID for IVI at both follow up timepoints (week 4 MD 3.38 [-14.94–8.18], P=0.548], week 8 MD 3.49 [-17.52–10.53], P=0.609). Conclusion IVI maintained physical activity and improved fatigue specific QoL. Placebo was associated with a significant decline activity and fatigue specific QoL. IVI may delay the functional decline experienced with advanced cancer. Take-home message Intravenous iron led to clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life and physical activity in anaemic patients with advanced cancer.

Intravenous iron therapy to treat burn anaemia: A retrospective cohort study

PurposeIntravenous iron is an effective treatment for anaemia in many populations but has not been evaluated in those with burn anaemia. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron to manage burn anaemia. MethodologyThis was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with burns to at least 15% total body surface area (TBSA). Data collected from patient records included demographics, treatment details, and outcomes including length of stay, blood transfusions, and serum haemoglobin concentrations. Linear mixed effects regression models were used to assess the effect of treatment with intravenous iron on haemoglobin over time. ResultsSixty patients met inclusion criteria, with 11 (18%) treated using intravenous iron. Those treated with intravenous iron had higher TBSA burns (median 39% vs 18%, P = 0.0005), more operations (3 vs 1, P = 0.0012), and more blood transfusions (median 8 units vs 0 units, P = 0.0002). One patient (9%) experienced a minor adverse drug reaction from intravenous iron. When examining the change in modelled haemoglobin levels over the first 14 days following the last major operation, the change in the intravenous iron group (11.22 g/L) was 14.56 g/L greater than the change in the group not receiving intravenous iron (−3.34 g/L, P = 0.0282). ConclusionThis exploratory study provides preliminary evidence of benefit and safety of intravenous iron treatment on burn anaemia recovery.

Clinical Implications of the Coexistence of Anemia and Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly Population.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and also anemia are common in the elderly and have a negative impact on the clinical outcomes of patients. The coexistence of anemia and DM seems to be insufficiently recognized; therefore, the aim of our study is to analyze the incidence and clinical consequences of this coexistence, including mortality, in the population of people aged ≥60. A retrospective study was conducted on 981 primary care clinic patients aged ≥60 during 2013-2014. The prevalence of coexistence of DM and anemia (defined in accordance with WHO) and data on the incidence of comorbidities, hospitalization, medical procedures, and all-cause mortality were analyzed. In the study population, 25% had DM, while 5.4% had both DM and anemia. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) was found in 48 patients (4.89%) of the entire study population, more often in men (p < 0.001). Diabetic patients with anemia compared to nonanemic diabetics had more comorbidities (median 4 (4, 5) vs. 3 (2–4); p < 0.001)—PAD more often (p = 0.004), more hospitalization (median 2 (0–11) vs. 0 (0–11); p < 0.001), and more frequent medical procedures (e.g., percutaneous coronary intervention (p < 0.001), coronary artery bypass surgery (p = 0.027), arteriography (p < 0.001), and bypass surgery or endovascular treatments of lower limb ischemia (p < 0.001)). The cumulative survival of patients with both DM and anemia vs. nonanemic diabetics at 36 months was 86.4% vs. 99.3% (p < 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression model showed anemia to be a significant risk factor for death in diabetic patients (p = 0.013). Patients with both DM and anemia have more comorbidities than nonanemic diabetic patients; they are more often hospitalized, require medical procedures more frequently, and are at a higher risk of death. Effective treatment of anemia in patients with DM is advisable and may well improve the prognosis of patients.

A Phase 2 Study of Luspatercept in Patients with Myelofibrosis-Associated Anemia

A Phase 2 Study of Luspatercept in Patients with Myelofibrosis-Associated Anemia

Profile of nutritional anemia and its correlation with serum iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid level among the tribal population of northern districts of West Bengal, India

Background and Objective: Nutritional anemia is the most common and easily preventable cause of anemia. No comprehensive data regarding the magnitude of this problem are available in the literature in northern regions of West Bengal where a significant number of tribals inhabit. The present study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of anemia and the status of iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiency in tribals of North Bengal and to analyze their red blood cell (RBC) morphology. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study done on the individuals during a period of 1 year at North Bengal Medical College. Serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, Vitamin B12, and folic acid were measured along with other relevant investigations. Results: Forty-eight out of 88 (54.51%) of the cases were found to be anemic. Thirty-four out of 48 (70.83%) of them had at least one of the nutritional deficiencies. Iron deficiency was most common, seen in 18 (37.5%) of cases. Abnormal hemoglobin was seen in 7 (14.58%), two of which also had nutritional deficiency. In combined iron and folate deficiency, 7 out of 10 (70%) showed microcytic hypochromic morphology and 3 (30%) were dimorphic. Conclusion: Iron and folic acid deficiency is quite common among the tribals of northern region of West Bengal. RBC morphology alone lacks the specificity for the diagnosis of causes. Furthermore, nutritional deficiencies may coexist with abnormal hemoglobin variants, complicating their diagnosis further. A proper clinical, hematological, and biochemical correlation is required for the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of anemia, highlighting the need for a screening for the causes of anemia in this population.

Is hepcidin related with anemia and bone mineral metabolism in children with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease?

Aim:Functional iron deficiency seco ndary to inflammation and increased serum hepcidin lead to erythropoietin-resistant anemia in children with chronic kidney disease. Vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone, and phosphate can also participate in chronic inflammation and anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hepcidin, bone mineral metabolism, and anemia in non-dialysis pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease.Material and Methods:Thirty-five patients with stage 2–4 chronic kidney disease and 35 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, hepcidin, complete blood count, ferritin, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and fibroblast growth factor-23 levels were compared between the groups.Results:Ferritin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid levels, and percentages of reticulocytes were significantly higher than in the controls (p<0.05). The mean serum hepcidin levels in the chronic kidney disease and control groups were 9.6±5.2 (range, 2.15–25.3) and 9.7±4.3 (range, 3.4–22.2) ng/mL and were not significantly different in either group. There were no differences in terms of serum phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and fibroblast growth factor-23 levels between the groups (p>0.05). Serum hepcidin levels were not correlated with anemia parameters, serum fibroblast growth factor-23, phosphorus, uric acid, C-reactive protein, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (p>0.05). However, serum hepcidin levels were correlated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and interleukin-6 levels (p=0.013 and p=0.002, respectively).Conclusion:Serum hepcidin levels may not increase significantly in non-dialysis pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease despite high levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. The increase of serum hepcidin levels may be inhibited by effective treatment of anemia with iron supplementation and erythropoietin, and the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism with phosphate binders and the active form of vitamin D, which decrease serum parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor-23 levels, and control inflammation to some extent.

A Study of Hematological Profile in Patients of Chronic Renal Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis at a Tertiary Health Care Institute

The complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, bleeding time, clotting time and renal function tests of 114 patients of chronic renal failure who had required hemodialysis for a period of at least 3 months prior to the commencement of this study were studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the derangements in the haematological profile of chronic renal patients undergoing hemodialysis and to correlate the same with the duration and severity of the renal failure. The principal finding in the study was a 100% prevalence of anemia among chronic renal failure patients, which was predominantly of the normocytic normochromic type. Red blood cell count was reduced in nearly all (93%) of study patients. There was also a strong negative correlation (r = -0.74) between haemoglobin and duration of hemodialysis. However, a significant proportion of cases showed abnormal cells in the peripheral blood cells such as burr cells, schistocytes and pencil cells, suggesting other contributing factors to the anemia. Female patients also showed a significantly greater prevalence of increased red cell distribution width (>15%) as compared to males (p = 0.001) and a lower prevalence of normocytic normochromic anemia as compared to males (p = 0.009). White blood cell counts, platelet counts, and bleeding and clotting times were largely within normal limits, and none of these variables showed a statistically significant association with the duration of hemodialysis, or serum creatinine, or serum blood urea nitrogen. The inference from the study is that anemia is a major comorbidity in end-stage renal failure patients, with many factors contributing to it, and detailed workup and effective treatment of anemia is necessary in this group of patients.

Vadadustat, a novel oral HIF stabilizer, provides effective anemia treatment in nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease

Current treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents can lead to substantial hemoglobin oscillations above target range and high levels of circulating erythropoietin. Vadadustat (AKB-6548), a novel, titratable, oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor induces endogenous erythropoietin synthesis and enhances iron mobilization. In this 20-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2b study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of once-daily vadadustat in patients with stages 3a to 5 non-dialysis-dependent CKD. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who, during the last 2 weeks of treatment, achieved or maintained either a mean hemoglobin level of 11.0 g/dl or more or a mean increase in hemoglobin of 1.2 g/dl or more over the predose average. Significantly, the primary endpoint was met in 54.9% of patients on vadadustat and 10.3% of patients on placebo. Significant increases in both reticulocytes and total iron-binding capacity and significant decreases in both serum hepcidin and ferritin levels were observed in patients on vadadustat compared with placebo. The overall incidence of adverse events was comparable between the 2 groups. Serious adverse events occurred in 23.9% and 15.3% of the vadadustat- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. Three deaths occurred in the vadadustat arm. Thus, this phase 2b study demonstrated that vadadustat raised and maintained hemoglobin levels in a predictable and controlled manner while enhancing iron mobilization in patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD.

Serum albumin and von Willebrand factor: possible markers for early detection of vascular damage in children undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children with end-stage renal disease and the relationships among several relevant potential biomarkers were investigated in pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients. Serum homocysteine, von Willebrand factor (vWF), apolipoproteins A and B, lipoprotein-a, high sensitive-CRP, hemoglobin, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured in 21 pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients and control subjects. All risk factors were higher in patients than controls. LVMI values were negatively correlated with hemoglobin and positively correlated with PTH and phosphorus levels (p=0.007, r= - 0.573; p=0.013, r= 0.532 and p=0.035, r= 0.461, respectively). cIMT was negatively associated with serum albumin and positively correlated with vWF levels and with SBP and DBP (p=0.006, r= - 0.578; p=0.039, r= 0.453; p=0.02, r= 0.503; p=0.024, r= 0.491, respectively). Robust regression analyses showed that hemoglobin was an independent predictor of LVMI and serum albumin was an independent predictor of cIMT. Only uremia-related factors were independent risk factors for predicting LVMI and cIMT. Hemoglobin level may be a critical factor in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy; therefore, effective treatment of anemia is crucial. Low serum albumin and high hsCRP and vWF levels, and their correlations with cIMT, indicate these patients could be at risk of developing malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis syndrome and suggest that serum albumin and vWF levels may be useful markers for early detection of vascular damage.

Novel antibodies directed against the human erythropoietin receptor: creating a basis for clinical implementation.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is an effective treatment for anaemia but concerns that it causes disease progression in cancer patients by activation of EPO receptors (EPOR) in tumour tissue have been controversial and have restricted its clinical use. Initial clinical studies were flawed because they used polyclonal antibodies, later shown to lack specificity for EPOR. Moreover, multiple isoforms of EPOR caused by differential splicing have been reported in cancer cell lines at the mRNA level but investigations of these variants and their potential impact on tumour progression, have been hampered by lack of suitable antibodies. The EpoCan consortium seeks to promote improved pathological testing of EPOR, leading to safer clinical use of rHuEPO, by producing well characterized EPOR antibodies. Using novel genetic and traditional peptide immunization protocols, we have produced mouse and rat monoclonal antibodies, and show that several of these specifically recognize EPOR by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry in cell lines and clinical material. Widespread availability of these antibodies should enable the research community to gain a better understanding of the role of EPOR in cancer, and eventually to distinguish patients who can be treated safely by rHuEPO from those at increased risk from treatment.

The Role Of Erythropoietin In The Treatment Of Anemia In Patients With Malignant Lymphoma

Abstract Introduction: Anemia is a common complication of malignant lymphomas, which could be a direct consequence of the disease or secondary to the myelosupressive chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of erythropoietin to treat anemia. The main objectives were to demonstrate increases in hemoglobin levels and the existence of an association between symptom relief and treatment. Material and method: In the Clinical Hematology and BMT Unit Tîrgu Mureș we performed an analytical, observational study to assess the role of erythropoietin treatment in malignant lymphoma related anemia. This linear, retrospective study included 127 patients diagnosed and treated with malignant lymphoma between January 1st, 2007 and December 30, 2011. The 127 patients were divided into two groups: a group of patients (n = 88) who were treated with erythropoietin and the other group (n = 39) who did not receive this treatment. Patients included in the study received treatment with epoetin beta 40,000 IU/week. We followed the hemoglobin level and the symptomatology at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results: Patients who received treatment with erythropoietin had a 7.12 times higher possibility of being asymptomatic than patients who did not receive this treatment. The hemoglobin concentration of patients with erythropoietin treatment increased significantly (p &lt;0.0001) compared to the patients who did not receive this treatment. Conclusion: Effective treatment of anemia is an important aim in the management of patients with malignant lymphomas, because it increases their hemoglobin concentration, decreases the need of transfusion and maintains an acceptable quality of life.

An observational cohort study of extended dosing (once every 2 weeks or once monthly) regimens with darbepoetin alfa in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis: the EXTEND study

Background.Darbepoetin alfa (DA) has been shown to be an effective treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis (NoD). EXTEND is an observational study assessing the effectiveness of DA administered once biweekly (Q2W) or monthly (QM) in a general CKD-NoD population.Methods.Adult CKD-NoD patients starting DA Q2W/QM treatment in June 2006 or later were eligible. Retrospective and/or prospective data including haemoglobin levels and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) dosing were collected for 6 months before and 12 months after DA initiation. Mean Hb levels were calculated every 3 months, and ESA dose was converted to a geometric mean weekly DA equivalent dose and summarized monthly.Results.Data from 4278 patients showed that patients receiving ESA treatment before DA Q2W/QM initiation had a mean (95% confidence interval) Hb level of 11.9 g/dL (11.8–12.0 g/dL) at initiation and 11.6 g/dL (11.6–11.7 g/dL) at Months 10–12, with mean ESA dose of 22 μg/week (21–23 μg/week) prior to initiation, 16 μg/week (15–16 μg/week) at initiation and 16 μg/week (15–16 μg/week) at Month 12. In ESA-naive patients, Hb levels increased from 10.3 g/dL (10.2–10.3 g/dL) at initiation to 11.7 g/dL at Months 4–6 and were maintained at a mean level of 11.7 g/dL (11.7–11.8 g/dL) at Months 10–12, with mean ESA dose of 16 μg/week (16–17 μg/week) at initiation and 16 μg/week (16–17 μg/week) at Month 12. In the 85% of patients receiving DA at extended intervals (Q2W or less frequently) at Month 12, 12 patients (0.3%) experienced DA-related adverse reactions.Conclusion.DA Q2W/QM was an effective treatment of anaemia in the general CKD-NoD patient population and a dose increase was not required in patients switching from a previous ESA regimen.

Effective treatment of anemia in pediatric kidney transplant recipients with methoxy polyethylene glycol‐epoetin beta

MPG-EPO is a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator with a longer half-life than darbepoetin, hence requires less frequent injections. It has been successfully used in adults, but currently, there are no published data available for its use in children. This pilot study was performed to verify the effect of MPG-EPO on Hb levels in children. Twelve patients (age 6.4-17.2 yr) were treated with MPG-EPO as an individual "Heilversuch" according to German law after RTx. Five patients were switched from DA, and seven were naïve to erythropoietin. Over a period of six months, Hb levels were measured monthly. A median MPG-EPO dose of 2.5 μg/kg was administered intravenously in a single dose every four wk. The median Hb value increased in naïve patients from 9.9 to 11.2 g/dL (median, p = 0.004) and from 10.3 to 11.6 g/dL (median, p = 0.39) in patients switched from DA to MPG-EPO. No adverse events secondary to MPG-EPO therapy were detected. Our results indicate that a once-monthly injection of MPG-EPO is an effective treatment of anemia in children after renal transplantation. Larger randomized trials will have to confirm our findings.

Mortality in Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa: A Prospective Cohort Study in Tanzania

BackgroundThe World Health Organization has declared Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) a public health priority. There are 300,000 births/year, over 75% in Africa, with estimates suggesting that 6 million Africans will be living with SCA if average survival reaches half the African norm. Countries such as United States of America and United Kingdom have reduced SCA mortality from 3 to 0.13 per 100 person years of observation (PYO), with interventions such as newborn screening, prevention of infections and comprehensive care, but implementation of interventions in African countries has been hindered by lack of locally appropriate information. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with death from SCA in Dar-es-Salaam.Methods and FindingsA hospital-based cohort study was conducted, with prospective surveillance of 1,725 SCA patients recruited from 2004 to 2009, with 209 (12%) lost to follow up, while 86 died. The mortality rate was 1.9 (95%CI 1.5, 2.9) per 100 PYO, highest under 5-years old [7.3 (4.8–11.0)], adjusting for dates of birth and study enrollment. Independent risk factors, at enrollment to the cohort, predicting death were low hemoglobin (<5 g/dL) [3.8 (1.8–8.2); p = 0.001] and high total bilirubin (≥102 µmol/L) [1.7 (1.0–2.9); p = 0.044] as determined by logistic regression.ConclusionsMortality in SCA in Africa is high, with the most vulnerable period being under 5-years old. This is most likely an underestimate, as this was a hospital cohort and may not have captured SCA individuals with severe disease who died in early childhood, those with mild disease who are undiagnosed or do not utilize services at health facilities. Prompt and effective treatment for anemia in SCA is recommended as it is likely to improve survival. Further research is required to determine the etiology, pathophysiology and the most appropriate strategies for management of anemia in SCA.