Abstract | PURPOSE: This study investigated adherence to treatment guidelines on cancer-related anaemia and fatigue (CRA/CRF) and factors influencing the choice of intervention. METHODS: RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of patients with severe anaemia (Hb < 10 g/dl) and 6% of patients with less severe anaemia (Hb levels 10-12 g/dl) received treatment (epoetin and/or blood transfusions). Half of the patients with less severe anaemia reported clinically relevant levels of fatigue. More than 50% of all patients received fatigue-related counselling, primarily at the start of chemotherapy. Most counselling was directed at energy conservation. Fatigue was not associated significantly with the use of epoetin or blood transfusion. Patients receiving palliative treatment (17%), male patients (16%) and patients with a low Hb level (<6.2 g/dl, 38%) were treated significantly more often with epoetin. CONCLUSIONS: In daily clinical practice, guidelines concerning the use of epoetin or blood transfusion in severe CRA are adhered to in about half of the cases. In patients with less severe anaemia, the level of fatigue did not play a significant role in the use of epoetin. According to current guidelines, counselling on CRF should be directed primarily at activity enhancement. However, only a minority of patients receive such counselling.
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Authors | Doranne L Hilarius, Paul H Kloeg, Elsken van der Wall, Manon Komen, Chad M Gundy, Neil K Aaronson |
Journal | Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
(Support Care Cancer)
Vol. 19
Issue 4
Pg. 531-8
(Apr 2011)
ISSN: 1433-7339 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 20238129
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Erythropoietin
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anemia
(etiology, therapy)
- Antineoplastic Agents
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Blood Transfusion
(methods)
- Erythropoietin
(therapeutic use)
- Fatigue
(etiology, therapy)
- Female
- Guideline Adherence
- Hospitals, Community
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms
(complications, drug therapy)
- Palliative Care
(methods)
- Patient Education as Topic
(methods, standards)
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Prospective Studies
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sex Factors
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