Impact of anemia management with EPO on psychologic distress in cancer patients: results of a multicenter patient survey. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Del Prete, Salvatore; Cinieri, Saverio; Lorusso, Vito; Maiorino, Luigi; Pizza, Carmine; Pisano, Agata; Montesarchio, Vincenzo; Leo, Luigi; Savastano, Clementina; Pistolese, Giuseppe; Bianco, Maddalena; Mabilia, Roberto; Tonachella, Riccardo; Febbraro, Antonio; Manzione, Luigi; Palazzo, Salvatore; Filippelli, Gianfranco; Vincenzi, Bruno; Barbato, Enrico; Cennamo, Gregorio; Riccardi, Ferdinando; Misso, Gabriella; Caraglia, Michele; Addeo, Raffaele
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 10:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: chemotherapy-induced anemia -- EPO -- erythropoiesis-stimulating agent -- Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: Fatigue -- hemoglobin -- lymphoma -- myeloma -- psychological distress -- Psychological Distress Inventory -- solid tumor; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.13.161
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Aim: We investigated the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in reducing anemia and preventing the development of psychological distress in patients treated with chemotherapy.Patients & 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.Conclusion: Hb increase, induced by EPO, ameliorates the psychological conditions of cancer patients.