Epidemiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

IntroductionAnemia is a common adverse effect of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and the development of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is more common in patients with hematologic malignant tumors.ObjectiveTo assess the incidence and treatment pattern of CIA in patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from a large managed care organization in California.MethodsPatients diagnosed with NHL between 2010 and 2012 were studied to provide an updated picture of CIA in current hematology-oncology practice. Trends in anemia treatment patterns were examined from 2000 to 2013. All data were collected from Kaiser Permanente Southern California electronic health records.ResultsOf 699 chemotherapy-treated patients with NHL diagnosed between 2010 and 2012, 36.9% and 11.6% developed moderate (hemoglobin DiscussionIn contrast to previous European reports, we note a higher incidence of CIA in patients with NHL in this US community practice setting.ConclusionModerate to severe CIA is common in patients with NHL receiving chemotherapy. Multiple ESA-related policy changes occurred from 2000 to 2013. A large proportion of CIA episodes were currently not treated with ESA, and transfusions have become more common. Further studies are needed to determine associations between CIA symptom burden and CIA treatment as they relate to patient outcomes and quality of life.