Identification of clinical and simple laboratory variables predicting responsible gastrointestinal lesions in patients with iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a frequent disorder. Also, it may be a sign of underlying serious diseases. Iron deficiency points to an occult or frank bleeding lesion when occurred in men or postmenopausal women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of endoscopy in patients with IDA and to define predictive factors of gastrointestinal (GI) lesions causing IDA. Ninety-one patients (77 women, 14 men; mean age: 43 years) who were decided to have esophago-duodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy for iron deficiency anemia were interviewed and responded to a questionnaire that included clinical and biochemical variables. The endoscopic findings were recorded as GI lesions causing IDA or not causing IDA. Endoscopy revealed a source of IDA in 18.6 % of cases. The risk factors for finding GI lesions causing IDA were as follows: male gender (p= 0.004), advanced age (> 50 years) (p= 0.010), weight loss (over 20% of total body weight lost in last 6 month) (p= 0.020), chronic diarrhea (p= 0.006), change of bowel habits (p= 0.043), epigastric tenderness (p= 0.037), raised carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (normal range: 0-7 ng/mL) (p= 0.039), < 10 gr/dl hemoglobin (Hb) level (p=0.054). None of these risk factors had been present in 21 (23%) women younger than 51 years. In this group, no patient had any GI lesion likely to cause IDA (negative predictive value= 100%). In multivariate analysis, advanced age (p=0.017), male gender (p< 0.01) and weight lost (p=0.012) found that associated with GI lesions in all patients. It may be an appropriate clinical approach to consider these risk factors when deciding for gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation in iron deficiency anemia

Spinal Myeloid Sarcoma In Two Non-Leukemic Patients

Myeloid sarcoma, formerly termed granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma, consists of neoplastic granulocytic precursors and myeloblasts. Isolated chloromas (granulocytic sarcomas) are rare tumors. Spinal complications of chloromas, such as cord compression secondary to epidural tumor or cauda equine syndrome have been described but are rare. We herein report two cases with spinal granulocytic sarcomas in non-leukemic patients. The case of a previously healthy 22-year-old man diagnosed with multiple spinal granulocytic sarcomas with no evidence of bone marrow or other hematological involvement is described. And, a 43-year-old woman diagnosed cervical spinal granulocytic sarcoma with no evidence of bone marrow or other hematological involvement is described. The tumor was totally removed by microsurgery. The histopathological examination was consistent with granulocytic sarcoma. Granulocytic sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an epidural mass in patients with or without acute leukemia, because early diagnosis followed by appropriate combined chemotherapy and radiation may obviate surgical intervention and eventually prevent leukemic transformation.WoSScopu

Spot Analyses Of Serum Neopterin, Tryptophan And Kynurenine Levels In A Random Group Of Blood Donor Population

In transfusions, safety measures are used for the health of both receivers and donors. In this regard, early and sensitive markers are strongly needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate neopterin profile and tryptophan degradation in a group of Turkish blood donors. The effect of age, gender, blood type and Rh factor were also assessed. Neopterin was measured by ELISA kits. Serum tryptophan and kynurenine were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Kynurenine/tryptophan (kyn/trp) was calculated to estimate tryptophan degradation. Tryptophan, kynurenine and kyn/trp levels were found to be higher in males compared with females (all p0.05). In routine analysis, early and reliable biomarkers are needed. In parallel with current markers, neopterin can be used to select safe donors and to maintain the safety of transfusion. In the face of our results, we recommend that donations with neopterin levels above 19 nmol/L should be excluded from the program because increased neopterin levels indicate activation of the cellular immune system.WoSScopu

Identification of clinical and simple laboratory variables predicting responsible gastrointestinal lesions in patients with iron deficiency anemia

<p>Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a frequent disorder. Also, it may be a sign of underlying serious diseases. Iron deficiency points to an occult or frank bleeding lesion when occurred in men or postmenopausal women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of endoscopy in patients with IDA and to define predictive factors of gastrointestinal (GI) lesions causing IDA. Ninety-one patients (77 women, 14 men; mean age: 43 years) who were decided to have esophago-duodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy for iron deficiency anemia were interviewed and responded to a questionnaire that included clinical and biochemical variables. The endoscopic findings were recorded as GI lesions causing IDA or not causing IDA. Endoscopy revealed a source of IDA in 18.6 % of cases. The risk factors for finding GI lesions causing IDA were as follows: male gender (p= 0.004), advanced age (&#62; 50 years) (p= 0.010), weight loss (over 20% of total body weight lost in last 6 month) (p= 0.020), chronic diarrhea (p= 0.006), change of bowel habits (p= 0.043), epigastric tenderness (p= 0.037), raised carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (normal range: 0-7 ng/mL) (p= 0.039), &#60; 10 gr/dl hemoglobin (Hb) level (p=0.054). None of these risk factors had been present in 21 (23%) women younger than 51 years. In this group, no patient had any GI lesion likely to cause IDA (negative predictive value= 100%). In multivariate analysis, advanced age (p=0.017), male gender (p&#60; 0.01) and weight lost (p=0.012) found that associated with GI lesions in all patients. It may be an appropriate clinical approach to consider these risk factors when deciding for gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation in iron deficiency anemia.</p

Pediatric Chemotherapeutic Regimen (Bfm-95) is Superior for Overall Survival in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a neoplastic disease characterized by clonal malignant proliferation of the lymphoid blast cells. The aim of this study is to compare chemotherapy, pediatric regimen BFM-95 protocol with adult ALL protocols in our patient cohort. We retrospectively collected data of patients aged 17 and older who were registered to database of our Hematology Department as acute lymphocytic leukemia between the years 2003-2016. Demographic data,chemotherapy protocols,side effects due to chemotherapy,disease free survivals (DFS) and overall survivals(OS) of remaining 101 patients were compared. The mean age of the patients was 33.6 +/- 14.5 ages.80% of patients were B-ALL,15% were T-ALL, 5% were in Ph+ ALL phenotype.Coagulopathy was seen more in patients receiving BFM-95 (p= 0.002). There was no significant difference among the protocols except for the coagulopathy. The complete remission rate (CR) was 100% in the BFM-95 protocol group, 70% in the Hyper-CVAD group and 60% in the CALGB receiving group. Three-year OS rate was 89% in patients receiving BFM-95, 41% in patients receiving Hyper-CVAD and 53% in CALGB group (p= 0.022).Since patients receiving BFM-95 are under 40 years of age, in order to be able to evaluate the BFM-95 protocol more clearly, OS is examined separately in patients under 40 years of age and it was found that OS was again significantly high in BFM-95 group (p= 0.014). The BFM-95 protocol has been shown to be well tolerated and to improve survival in adult patients when careful in terms of L-asparaginase and steroid-dependent side effects.WoSScopu

Original Article The factors affecting early death after the initial therapy of acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract: There are some improvements in management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, inductioninduced deaths still remain as a major problem. The aim of this study is to assess clinical parameters affecting early death in patients with AML. 199 AML patients, who were treated with intensive, non-intensive or supportive treatment between 2002 and 2014 in Hacettepe Hematology Department, were analyzed retrospectively. In our study early death rate for elderly was found to be lower than previous reports whereas it was similar for those who were under age of 60. Better ECOG performance (ECOG performance score 0 and 1) and non-intensive treatment associated with lower early death rates, however APL-type disease associated with higher early death rates. ECOG performance score at diagnosis was found to be the most related independent factor with higher rate of early death in 15 days after treatment (P&lt;0.001). Therefore we decided to understand the factors which were related with ECOG. WBC count at diagnosis was found to be the only related parameter with ECOG performance score. Leucocyte count at diagnosis appears like to have an indirect effect on early death in AML patients. It maybe suggested that in recent years there is an improvement in early death rates of elderly AML patients. The currently reported findings require prospective validation and would encourage the incorporation of other next generation genomics for the prediction of early death and overall risk status of AML

Rebound Thrombocytosis Following Induction Chemotherapy Is An Independent Predictor of A Good Prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Attaining First Complete Remission

There are very few data about the relationship between acute myeloid leukemia (AML) prognosis and bone marrow recovery kinetics following chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to assess the prognostic importance and clinical associations of neutrophil and platelet recovery rates and rebound thrombocytosis (RT) or neutrophilia (RN) in the post-chemotherapy period for newly diagnosed AML patients. De novo AML patients diagnosed between October 2002 and December 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. One hundred patients were suitable for inclusion. Cox regression analysis using need for reinduction chemotherapy as a stratification parameter revealed RT as the only parameter predictive of OS, with borderline statistical significance (p = 0.06, OR = 7; 95% CI 0.92-53), and it was the only parameter predictive of DFS (p = 0.024, OR = 10; 95% CI 1.3-75). In order to understand whether RT or RN was related to a better mar-row capacity or late consolidation, we considered neutrophil recovery time and platelet recovery time and nadir-first consolidation durations in all patients in the cohort. Both the marrow recovery duration and the time between marrow aplasia and first consolidation were shorter in RT and RN patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a correlation between RT/RN and prognosis in AML. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, BaselWoSScopu

A multicenter experience of thrombotic microangiopathies in Turkey: The Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group (ThREG)-TMA01 study

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are rare, but life-threatening disorders characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia (MAHAT) associated with multiorgan dysfunction as a result of microvascular thrombosis and tissue ischemia. The differentiation of the etiology is of utmost importance as the pathophysiological basis will dictate the choice of appropriate treatment

Clinical management, psychosocial characteristics, and quality of life in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia undergoing LDL-apheresis in Turkey: Results of a nationwide survey (A-HIT1 registry)

WOS: 000475544900016PubMed ID: 30928440BACKGROUND: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare, life-threatening inherited disease leading to early-onset atherosclerosis and associated morbidity. Because of its rarity, longitudinal data on the management of HoFH in the real world are lacking, particularly on the impact the condition has on quality of life (QoL), including the impact of the extracorporeal lipid removal procedure apheresis (LA). METHODS: The A-HIT1 study included 88 patients with HoFH aged >= 12 years receiving regular LA in 19 centers in Turkey. Demographic and disease characteristics data were obtained. For patients aged >= 18 years, additional data on psychosocial status were obtained via the SF-36 score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a HoFH-specific questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no standardized approach to therapy between centers. Mean (+/-SD) frequency of LA sessions was every 19.9 (+/-14) days, with only 11.6% receiving LA weekly, and 85% of patients were not willing to increase LA frequency. The most common concerns of patients were disease prognosis (31%), and physical, aesthetic, and psychological problems (27.5%, 15.9%, and 11.6%, respectively). Lower age at diagnosis was associated with better QoL, lower anxiety, improved functioning, and greater emotional well-being compared to later diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that adult patients with HoFH undergoing LA, experience significant impairment of QoL with an increased risk of depression. From patients' point of view, LA is time-consuming, uncomfortable, and difficult to cope with. The speed of diagnosis and referral has a considerable impact on patient well-being. (C) 2019 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved.Aegerion pharmaceuticals; Amryt Pharmaceuticals DACThis investigator initiated study was funded by Aegerion pharmaceuticals, and authors wish to thank Nigel Eastmond of Eastmond Medicomm Ltd for assistance in editing the final article, which was funded by Amryt Pharmaceuticals DAC