Hematology Times
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CytopeniasMedicare overpaid for ESAs, iron supplements
Vials and a syringe
A newly published report suggests Medicare could have saved more than $500 million for anemia management drugs in 2011 if the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) base rate had reflected the actual use of such drugs. Specifically, Medicare could have saved $510 million on the erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) epoetin alfa (Epogen) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) and $19 million for the iron supplements sodium ferric gluconate (Ferrlecit) and iron sucrose (Venofer). [Read Article] Location may impact risk of anemia during pregnancy
Fresh produce
Proximity to a source of healthful foods may influence a woman’s risk of developing anemia during pregnancy, a new study suggests. Researchers found that women with lower incomes who lived in urban areas had an increased risk of anemia if they lived more than 0.25 miles, considered a “walking distance,” from a source of healthful foods. The research was presented at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ 61st Annual Clinical Meeting as abstract 58. [Read Article] HRE protocol reduces need for transfusion
Bags of blood for transfusion
Credit: Elise Amendola A single, high-dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (HRE) given 2 days prior to surgery can correct anemia and reduce the need for blood transfusions, according to a study presented at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting. Previous research has shown that HRE can offset anemia prior to surgery. But protocols tend to require that HRE be given many days, even weeks, before surgery. And dosing schedules are often complicated. Practically, patients often do not have that much time for preparation. [Read Article] Discovery could help improve hematopoietic recovery
HSCs for transplant
Credit: Chad McNeeley A new study has shown that chemotherapy induces an insidious type of nerve damage in bone marrow that can cause delays in recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The discovery, made in mice and published in Nature Medicine, suggests that combining chemotherapy with nerve-protecting agents may prevent long-term bone marrow injury that causes anemia and may improve the success of transplants. In an earlier study, Paul Frenette . . . [Read Article] SCD influences hospital admission for priapism
Emergency room
Credit: Jacob Windham Men who have sickle cell disease (SCD) are more likely than their peers to be admitted to the hospital for priapism (a persistent, long-lasting erection), according to research published in The Journal of Urology. The study added to evidence suggesting that men with SCD have an increased risk of developing priapism. But it also indicated that these men are more likely than other patients to be admitted to the hospital for further management after they present with priapism. [Read Article] |
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