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First convened in 2000, the National Anemia Action Council (NAAC) is a multidisciplinary consortium of leading physician and nurse specialists, all experts in identifying and treating anemia. NAAC is dedicated to raising awareness regarding the prevalence, symptoms, consequences, and undertreatment of anemia and to achieving better patient outcomes. | |
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Welcome to AnemiaAlert Thank you for signing up for AnemiaAlert, the e-newsletter of the National Anemia Action Council. NAAC’s bimonthly e-newsletter responds to the need of health care professionals for timely, quick-to-read information on anemia. Each issue contains facts from recent research that may impact your practice. You are also able to quickly link to www.anemia.org, NAAC's Web site, to read features, which include interviews with leading anemia researchers and commentaries by NAAC specialists, and to review expert answers to submitted practice questions. Be sure to access the Web site's newest features: NAAC’s free electronic CME courses and The NAAC Anemia Reference Library. Fast Facts RHuEPO Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier A study of the pharmacokinetics of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of four patients indicates that rHuEPO does cross the blood-brain barrier after intravenous administration. Although rHuEPO has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in experimental brain injury studies, clinical trials are required to determine if this translates into improved patient outcomes.(Presented by A. Xenocostas et al, London Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada, at ASCO, 2003, Abstract No. 922.) Androgen Deprivation Plus Radiation Increases Anemia in Prostate Cancer Patients Results of a retrospective study of 172 patients indicate that the addition of androgen deprivation therapy to curative-intent radiation therapy increases the prevalence and severity of anemia in prostate cancer patients and is more pronounced in patients who are already anemic.(Presented by L. B. Harrison et al, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, at ASCO, 2003, Abstract No. 3024.) Combined Nephrology and Cardiology Care Effective for Patients With CHF and CKD A review of the care of 179 patients at Tel Aviv Medical Center reveals that joint nephrology-cardiology care for patients with resistant congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has generally resulted in improved hemoglobin levels, serum creatinine levels, New York Heart Association status, and quality of life scores; less dyspnea and fatigue; and lessened need for hospitalization or furosemide. The authors suggest that such cooperative care in which CHF is aggressively treated and anemia is controlled may prevent deterioration of both CHF and CKD.(Blood Purif. 2003;21:124-130.)
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Some Anemia May Be Attributed to Aging Although anemia in the elderly is often attributed to chronic disease or iron deficiency, in about 20% of these patients the cause remains unknown. These cases may be associated with the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6, which occurs with age even if no chronic disease or inflammation is present.(J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003;51:S18-S21.) What's New at www.anemia.org Featured Research With topics selected by the NAAC leadership, these articles include interviews with leading anemia researchers, often accompanied by commentaries written by NAAC specialists. The latest postings: Perioperative Anemia Requires Careful Evaluation and Treatment Anemia Increases Risk of Progression of Chronic Renal Failure Death and Rehospitalization Rates Higher in Older Heart Failure Patients With Anemia Research Briefs These annotated summaries highlight other important recent research. The latest postings: Height Not the Only Growth Parameter Affected by Iron Deficiency Anemia Anemia Has Medical, Functional Consequences in Older Patients Questionnaire Detects Anemia in Gastroenterology Outpatients Nurses Urged to Help Maintain Hemoglobin in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Answers
to Your Practice Questions Is surgery not advised with a hemoglobin of 9.7g/dL and if so, why?
Now you can conveniently update your anemia knowledge and simultaneously meet CME requirements at www.anemia.org. Complete the course and print your certificate—all within 1 hour. The Free E-CME Courses
The NAAC Anemia Reference Library is a comprehensive online resource for research on secondary anemias. Searchable by category, most references are linked to a National Library of Medicine PubMed abstract or an associated Web site. The database is continually updated with the latest published anemia studies. The NAAC Anemia Reference Library NAAC is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Amgen Inc.
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