Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with cancer: update on safety issues

Diagnosis of anaemia: old things rearranged

Anaemia is one of the most leading causes of morbidity and mortality, as declared by the World Health Organisation. This syndrome is characterised by low haemoglobin levels and nonspecific clinical symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and dyspnoea. The symptoms are unspecific as the underlying causes are heterogeneous. Thus, good knowledge of the useful biomarkers and their correct assignment is needed to allow rapid and targeted diagnosis.

Prevalence, characteristics and prognostic significance of anemia in daily practice

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of anemia has been studied in well-defined populations, but no large study is available for less restricted populations with various disorders.

DESIGN

Two-phase nationwide study: (i) a cross-sectional study including 1351 patients aimed to define the prevalence and characteristics of anemic patients seen in France, and (ii) a prospective longitudinal study of 398 anemic patients aimed to define factors associated with survival.

RESULTS

Anemia was present in 874 (65%) patients according to WHO criteria, and 573 (42%) patients had hemoglobin levels <110 g/l. Characteristics independently associated with anemia were the presence of cancer, hematological disorder, renal failure and inflammatory syndrome. Baseline factors negatively associated with the 3-month survival were cancer, older age and a lower target hemoglobin level defined at baseline. Negative predictive factors at Month 3 of the 6-month survival were older age and the absence of correction of anemia according to the target hemoglobin level defined at baseline.

CONCLUSION

Anemia is frequent and is associated with cancer, hematological disorders, renal failure and inflammatory syndrome. At baseline, prognostic factors of 3-month survival include cancer, older age and lower target hemoglobin level, whereas reaching the target hemoglobin level at Month 3 has a favorable prognostic impact on 6-month survival.