Abstract
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are used commonly to reduce symptomatic anemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We assessed population-based patterns of ESA use relative to treatment guidelines using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries, with linked Medicare claims providing detailed treatment data from 2001 through 2005. The study found widespread use (62%) of ESA in Medicare beneficiaries with MDS. Similar ESA use rates regardless of risk status, low frequency (45%) of serum erythropoietin determination prior to ESA initiation, and high prevalence (60.4%) of short-duration ESA episodes suggest clinically important discrepancies between actual practice and guideline-recommended therapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 675-680 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Leukemia Research |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent
- Guideline adherence
- Medicare
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Supportive care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research