ABSTRACT
AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The present study aims to describe the hematological response to darbepoetin alfa (DA) under daily clinical practice conditions in anemic elderly patients with non-myeloid tumors receiving chemotherapy. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational, multicenter study in elderly (≥65 years) patients with non-myeloid cancer receiving DA (500 µg every 3 weeks) for chemotherapy-induced anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] level ≤11.0 g/dL). RESULTS: A total of 102 anemic patients with solid tumors and 51 with hematological malignancies were included in 28 centers in Spain. Mean age (±SD) was 73.4 (±5.8) years, and mean baseline Hb level was 10.0 (±0.8) g/dL. DA was administered for a median of 8 weeks. Of the 115 subjects with a post-baseline Hb value, the percentage of patients who achieved a hematopoietic response (Hb increase ≥2 g/dL or reaching ≥12 g/dL without transfusions in the previous 28 days) was 69.7% (95% CI 56.1% to 83.3%). Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue subscale scores increased during the study (median change 1.0 [Q1 -5.0, Q3 9.0], P = 0.04). One patient (0.7%) experienced a non-serious adverse reaction (cutaneous rash). CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that DA is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in elderly patients.
Subject(s)
Anemia/chemically induced , Anemia/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Erythropoietin/analogs & derivatives , Hematinics/administration & dosage , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anemia/blood , Anemia/complications , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Darbepoetin alfa , Drug Administration Schedule , Erythropoietin/administration & dosage , Fatigue/etiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hemoglobins/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Fatigue is a cancer-related symptom with great impact on patients' daily lives, but often not discussed with their oncologists. This survey explored functional and psychological fatigue impact among different cancer symptoms according to patient's perception (pp). METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was conducted in 10 oncologist services throughout Spain. Demographical data and tumour diagnoses were collected. Fatigue impact on functional and social activities (Likert scale) and on emotional well-being (visual analogue scale) was measured. The pp of oncologist's response to fatigue report was recorded. RESULTS: 505 surveyed cancer patients were analysed (55.2% women, aged 58.8 years +/-11.7), 97.8% remembered experiencing fatigue during treatment. 27.1% did not discuss their fatigue with their oncologist. Fatigue affected patient's daily routine (> or = 50% of times) included self-care (58.26%), entertainment activities (69.8%), and relationships (71.4%). Fatigue was the most bothersome symptom of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients perceive fatigue as the symptom with highest impact on their daily living and that substantially affects their emotional and social areas.
