American journal of hematology
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Gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancy is one of the important causes of chronic iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The present study was designed to find out the prevalence and the predictive risk factors of malignancy in the IDA patients. We performed a prospective study in 148 patients with chronic IDA. ⋯ An IDA patient with both serum ferritin < or =10 microg/L and LDH >250 U/L ran a 74.33-times higher risk of malignancy than the patient without (95% CI: 7.115-776.479). Malignancy was an important cause of IDA. High LDH, low serum ferritin, and aging were the risk factors of malignancy in the IDA patients.
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An increasing number of chronic sickle cell patients are being treated with sustained-release opioids in the same manner as cancer patients. In a randomized clinical trial of patients with refractory cancer pain, implantable intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) improved clinical success compared to comprehensive medical management alone. ⋯ IDDS may offer relief for sickle cell patients with refractory pain. A prospective trial with more participants is planned.