Prevalence and management of anaemia in haematologic cancer patients receiving cyclic nonplatinum chemotherapy: results of a prospective national chart survey.
OBJECTIVE
Anaemia is common in patients with haematologic malignancies. In contrast to solid tumours there are only a few studies exploring anaemia in haematologic cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <12 g/dL) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and Hodgkin's disease (HD) who were scheduled to receive cyclic chemotherapy. Predictive factors for anaemia development and anaemia treatment were also assessed.


METHODS
This prospective chart survey was conducted at 35 oncology centers in Austria. A total of 273 patients were followed through four cycles of nonplatinum chemotherapy, and Hb-levels and anaemia therapy were documented.


RESULTS
At baseline, prevalence of anaemia was greatest in patients with MM (77.4%). Prevalence of anaemia increased for all malignancies after cycle 4, with the largest increases noted for patients with NHL (from 35.1% at baseline to 73.7%) and HD (from 21.9% to 54.5%). Cyclic chemotherapy and prior anticancer treatment indicated an increased risk for developing anaemia. Notably, 27.5% of patients with Hb levels <10.5 g/dL remained untreated. Transfusions were most often given to patients with severe anaemia (Hb < 8 g/dL), and erythropoietin most often given to patients with mild or moderate anaemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data confirm that anaemia prevalence in patients with haematologic malignancies is high and increases with chemotherapy. The current practice of anaemia management in these patients leaves room for improvement.
Division of Haematology and Oncology, Innsbruck University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria. michael.steurer@uibk.ac.at
Michael
M
Steurer
Helga
H
Wagner
Günther
G
Gastl
D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010984:Platinum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010984:Platinum