<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> 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. <bold>Material and method: </bold>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. <bold>Results: </bold>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. <bold>Conclusion: </bold>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.</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 <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.

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

Clinical Hematology and BMT Unit, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction: Anemia is a common complication of malignant lymphomas, which could be a direct consequence of the disease or secondary to the myelosupressive...

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

Published Online: Sep 05, 2013

Page range: 169 - 171

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2013-0040

© 2013

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.