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Anemia And Aging. Milwaukee, WI: National Anemia Action Council, Inc. 2007. 2 p.

This fact sheet provides basic information about aging and anemia, which is defined as a below-normal level of hemoglobin or hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Anemia can be temporary, a consequence of other health conditions, or chronic. People with severe anemia may feel tired or experience shortness of breath with activity and may have problems carrying out the routine activities of the day. The fact sheet answers common questions about aging and anemia, including its incidence in older adults, the causes of anemia in older adults, the effects of untreated anemia in elderly people, diagnostic tests that may be used to confirm the presence of the condition, and treatment options. The fact sheet briefly outlines three causes of anemia in older adults: iron deficiency, chronic inflammatory diseases, and anemia of unknown cause, also called idiopathic anemia. The fact sheet includes a short glossary of terms and a list of references, including related online resources available through the National Anemia Action Council at www.anemia.org. 13 references.

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Anemia. Washington, DC: National Women’s Health Information Center. 2008. 8 p.

This fact sheet answers common questions about anemia, a condition defined as fewer than the normal number of red blood cells in the blood or when the red blood cells do not carry enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that gives the red color to blood and is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. The fact sheet covers the types and causes of anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin-deficiency anemia, anemias caused by underlying diseases, anemias caused by inherited blood disease, aplastic anemia, the signs and symptoms of anemia, diagnostic tests including a complete blood count (CBC) used to confirm the presence of anemia, treatment options, complications associated with untreated anemia, steps that can help prevent anemia, the recommended amounts of daily iron, the iron needs of women who are pregnant, how birth control pills affect one’s risk for anemia, problems with anemia in people following a vegetarian diet, and the condition of iron overload, also called hemochromatosis. Readers are referred to seven resource organizations for more information. The telephone numbers and website addresses of the organizations are provided. 1 table.

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Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Bethesda, MD: National Hematologic Diseases Information Service. 2008. 6 p.

This fact sheet familiarizes readers with aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), rare and serious disorders that affect the bone marrow and blood. In aplastic anemia, normal production of all blood cells slows or stops. The blood cell production declines because bone marrow stem cells, the cells that give rise to all three types of mature blood cells, are damaged. However, the few blood cells that mature and enter the bloodstream are normal. In MDS, a shortage of bone marrow stem cells does not occur, but the stem cells are defective and do not mature normally. Many of the blood cells that do enter the bloodstream do not survive or function normally. Some forms of MDS tend to develop into leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer. The fact sheet answers common questions about aplastic anemia and MDS, including the causes of these conditions, their symptoms, diagnostic tests that may be used to confirm the presence of these conditions, and treatment options, including blood transfusions, stem cell transplant, medications, supportive care, and chemotherapy. Symptoms of aplastic anemia and MDS include fatigue, excessive bleeding, easy bruising, frequent infections, and shortness of breath. Aplastic anemia is treated with blood transfusions, immunosuppressive drugs, or stem cell transplants. Stem cell transplants can cure aplastic anemia but require a matched bone marrow donor and are usually limited to people younger than 40 or 50 years of age. MDS is usually treated with blood transfusions and medication. A final section of the fact sheet describes clinical trials currently under way to test treatments for aplastic anemia and MDS. Readers are referred to five resource organizations for more information. The fact sheet concludes with a brief description of the goals and activities of the National Hematologic Diseases Information Service.

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Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. IN: Sekeres, M.; Kalaycio, M.; Bolwell, B., eds. Clinical Malignant Hematology. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill. 2007. pp 733-814.

This section about Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is from a comprehensive reference book that covers the full spectrum of cancers in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. This section offers nine chapters: epidemiology and risk factors; prognostic factors in HL; the classification, pathology, and molecular genetics of HL; clinical features and making the diagnosis; the suggested treatment approach to classical HL; the treatment approach to nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL; the use of autologous stem cell transplantation for HL; follow-up care for patients with HL; and treatment of relapse or refractory HL and new frontiers in HL therapy. The authors note that HL can now be cured in more than 80 percent of patients, irrespective of the anatomical stage of disease and of its histologic type. The chapters are illustrated with black-and-white clinical pictures and photomicrographs. Each chapter concludes with an extensive list of references.

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What is Von Willebrand Disease? Montreal, Quebec :World Federation of Hemophilia. 2008. 10 p.

This fact sheet familiarizes readers with von Willebrand disease (VWD), a bleeding disorder characterized by longer times for blood to clot and bleeding to stop. VWD tends to be less severe than other bleeding disorders and may cause little or no disruption to one’s life, except when there is a serious injury or need for surgery. Written in nontechnical language, the fact sheet reviews the genetic basis of VWD, the main symptoms of the condition, diagnostic tests that may be used to help determine whether VWD is present, the three main types of VWD and their severity, treatment strategies, and special issues for girls and women with VWD. Symptoms of VWD can include easy bruising, frequent or prolonged nose bleeds, bleeding from the gums, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, and prolonged bleeding following injury, surgery, dental work, or childbirth. Treatment usually consists of a synthetic drug called desmopressin, a clotting factor concentrate that contains von Willebrand factor, and other drugs that may help control bleeding. The fact sheet concludes with a list of reminders that people with VWD should follow, including carrying information about the disease, registering at a center that specializes in bleeding disorders, and exercising regularly to keep joints and muscles strong. Readers are referred to selected print resources from a variety of organizations. The website addresses for the organizations are included. 1 figure. 18 references.

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About Alpha Thalassaemia. Nicosia, Cyprus: Thalassaemia International Federation. 2007. 32 p.

This booklet offers basic information about alpha-thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that causes anemia. The authors review the physiology and function of blood, including the role of hemoglobin, as well as the genetics of alpha-thalassemia and carriers of the disease. The booklet discusses HbH disease, hydrops fetalis, alpha-thalassemia trait in people with beta-thalassemia, tests for carrier status, other laboratory testing, how to prevent serious hemoglobin disorders, treatments for alpha-thalassemia major, diagnostic tests used to confirm the presence of alpha-thalassemia major, testing a fetus for hydrops fetalis, reproduction concerns, and the epidemiology of this disease. In most cases, simple but specific laboratory tests can determine whether a person carries the alpha-thalassemia trait or any other hemoglobin disorder. The booklet is illustrated with line drawings, medical illustrations, and maps. The booklet includes information about the Thalassaemia International Foundation, which was established in 1987 to promote the establishment of national control programs for the effective prevention and appropriate clinical management of thalassemia all over the world. Educational activities of the foundation include the organization of local, national, regional, and international workshops and the publication and translation of educational materials for health professionals, patients or parents, and the public. The booklet is also available in French, Italian, and Khmer. 17 figures. 1 table.

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About Beta Thalassaemia. Booklet 1. Nicosia, Cyprus: Thalassaemia International Federation. 2007. 32 p.

This booklet offers basic information about beta-thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that causes anemia. The authors review the physiology and function of blood, including the role of hemoglobin, as well as the genetics of beta-thalassemia and carriers of the disease. The booklet covers screening tests for carrier status, other laboratory testing, how to prevent serious hemoglobin disorders, treatments for beta-thalassemia major, diagnostic tests used to confirm the presence of beta-thalassemia major, reproduction concerns, and the epidemiology of this disease. The diagnosis of beta-thalassemia major is usually straightforward, although difficulties in diagnosis may arise, particularly in developing countries where the prevalence of diseases such as malaria can complicate the diagnostic process. Treatment strategies include regular blood transfusion, iron chelating agents, and bone marrow transplantation. The booklet is illustrated with line drawings, medical illustrations, and maps. The booklet includes information about the Thalassaemia International Foundation, which was established in 1987 to promote the establishment of national control programs for the effective prevention and appropriate clinical management of thalassemia all over the world. Educational activities of the foundation include the organization of local, national, regional, and international workshops and the publication and translation of educational materials for health professionals, patients or parents, and the public. The booklet is also available in French, Italian, and Khmer. 19 figures. 1 table.

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About Sickle Cell Disorders. Booklet Three. Nicosia, Cyprus: Thalassaemia International Federation. 2007. 25 p.

This booklet offers basic information about sickle cell disorder, an inherited blood disorder characterized by changes in the red blood cells. These changes can result in anemia and tissue damage caused by sickling cells blocking the passage of blood. The authors review the physiology and function of blood, including the role of hemoglobin, as well as the genetics of sickle cell trait and carriers of the disease. The booklet discusses laboratory tests for carrier status, the clinical outcomes of inheritance of sickle cell trait with other variants, developments in the management of sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea, bone marrow transplantation, gene therapy, diagnostic tests used to confirm the presence of sickle cell disease, prenatal testing, and the epidemiology of this disease. The authors stress that early and accurate diagnosis of sickle cell disease is important to prevent and treat the potentially serious complications of this disease. The booklet is illustrated with line drawings, medical illustrations, and maps. The booklet includes information about the Thalassaemia International Foundation, which was established in 1987 to promote the establishment of national control programs for the effective prevention and appropriate clinical management of thalassemia all over the world. Educational activities of the foundation include the organization of local, national, regional, and international workshops and the publication and translation of educational materials for health professionals, patients or parents, and the public. The booklet is also available in French. 15 figures. 2 tables.

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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. IN: Sekeres, M.; Kalaycio, M.; Bolwell, B., eds. Clinical Malignant Hematology. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill. 2007. pp 103-158.

This section on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is from a comprehensive reference book that covers the full spectrum of cancers in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The authors note that ALL is a complex and potentially curable hematopoietic cancer that has provided numerous advances in the treatment of malignant diseases for both children and adults. This section offers six chapters: epidemiology, risk factors, and classification; molecular biology, pathology, and cytogenetics of ALL; clinical features and making the diagnosis; treatment approach to adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia; definition of remission, prognosis, and follow-up in patients with ALL; and treatment of relapsed or refractory ALL and new frontiers in therapy for AML. The chapters include full coverage of all treatment options such as chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The chapters are illustrated with black-and-white clinical pictures and photomicrographs. Each chapter concludes with an extensive list of references.

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Acute Myeloid Leukemia. IN: Sekeres, M.; Kalaycio, M.; Bolwell, B., eds. Clinical Malignant Hematology. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill. 2007. pp 1-102.

This section on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is from a comprehensive reference book that covers the full spectrum of cancers in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. This section offers nine chapters: epidemiology, risk factors, and classification; molecular biology, pathology, and cytogenetics of AML; clinical features and making the diagnosis; treatment for AML in patients less than 60 years of age; treatment approach to AML in older adults; treatment approach to acute promyelocytic leukemia; approaches to the treatment of secondary AML and advanced myelodysplasia; definition of remission, prognosis, and follow-up in patients with AML; and treatment of relapsed or refractory AML and new frontiers in therapy for AML. The chapters include full coverage of all treatment options such as chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The chapters are illustrated with black-and-white clinical pictures and photomicrographs. Each chapter concludes with an extensive list of references.

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