title: Impact of anemia management with EPO on psychologic distress in cancer patients: results of a multicenter patient survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in reducing anemia and preventing the development of psychological distress in patients treated with chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective observational study enrolled 591 adult patients receiving EPO at a dose of 30,000 IU administered once weekly for chemotherapy-induced anemia (mean baseline hemoglobin [Hb] level was 9.55 g/dl) over a 12-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients (371 [71%] patients) achieved a Hb increase >2 g/dl after 4 weeks of treatment. Interestingly, the nonresponder group had a statistically significant deterioration of their psychological conditions as indicated by psychological distress score (p = 0.01). However, within the group of responders to EPO, the Psychological Distress Inventory score remained unchanged. In the present study, severe side effects associated with EPO were not recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hb increase, induced by EPO, ameliorates the psychological conditions of cancer patients.
authors: Salvatore Del Prete, Medical Oncology Division, 'San Giovanni di Dio' Frattamaggiore Hospital, ASLNA2 NORD, Naples, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Del Prete
authors: Saverio
authors: S
authors: Cinieri
authors: Vito
authors: V
authors: Lorusso
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Maiorino
authors: Carmine
authors: C
authors: Pizza
authors: Agata
authors: A
authors: Pisano
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Montesarchio
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Leo
authors: Clementina
authors: C
authors: Savastano
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Pistolese
authors: Maddalena
authors: M
authors: Bianco
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Mabilia
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Tonachella
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Febbraro
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Manzione
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Palazzo
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Filippelli
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Vincenzi
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Barbato
authors: Gregorio
authors: G
authors: Cennamo
authors: Ferdinando
authors: F
authors: Riccardi
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Misso
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Caraglia
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Addeo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa