title: The anion gap as a screening procedure for occult myeloma in the elderly.
abstract: Myeloma in the elderly can mimic many disorders, causing delay in diagnosis. In a retrospective study, the mean anion gap at presentation in 78 elderly patients with confirmed myeloma was found to be significantly less than that of aged-matched controls. It is suggested that estimation of the anion gap may be useful as a screening test, particularly as it has no intrinsic cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, Lancashire.
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ridway
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Irving
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G