Blood disorders and diseases, including anemia, bleeding disorders, thrombosis, hematologic malignancies, transfusion medicine, and stem cell transplantation
9 papersThis guideline reviews the assessment and treatment of frail multiple myeloma (MM) patients, emphasizing the importance of frailty assessment tools like the IMWG-FS and UK-MRP. It recommends risk-adapted treatment approaches, including dose modifications and supportive care strategies, to optimize outcomes in this vulnerable group.
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) and found that 14% of US adults have absolute iron deficiency and 15% have functional iron deficiency. Iron supplement use was low among adults with iron deficiency, ranging from 22% to 35% in women and 12% to 18% in men, depending on age.
This small human study (n=12) suggests that a single dose of nattokinase, an enzyme from fermented soybeans, may improve blood clot breakdown and reduce clotting. The changes observed were all within the normal range and more research with larger sample size is needed.
This paper describes the unusual phenomenon of lymphocytosis (increased white blood cell counts) observed in some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) during SARS-CoV-2 infection, contrasting with the typical lymphopenia seen in most COVID-19 patients. The authors speculate on possible mechanisms, including direct activation of CLL cells by the virus or indirect activation via immune responses, but further research is needed to confirm these hypotheses and determine the long-term impact on CLL progression.
In a small study, red blood cells from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients were found to be less deformable than those from healthy controls using a microfluidic device. This stiffness may contribute to symptoms like pain and fatigue by impairing microcirculation, but larger, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms. The study is further limited by its cross-sectional design and potential confounding from patient medication use.
This study investigated a new method for detecting microclots, which are thought to be linked to long COVID, using lasers. While the method was able to distinguish different clot concentrations in simpler test fluids, it faced challenges in whole blood due to interference from blood cells. Further research is needed to overcome these limitations and confirm findings with patient samples.
The guidelines provide updated recommendations for managing transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), emphasizing regular blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, and monitoring/management of various complications. They also highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, patient-centered care, and addressing psychosocial aspects for optimizing quality of life in TDT patients.
Therapeutic-dose heparin increased the probability of survival to hospital discharge with reduced need for organ support in moderately ill COVID-19 patients. While major bleeding was more frequent in the heparin group, the benefits in terms of organ support-free days were substantial enough to warrant consideration of this treatment strategy.
Anemia affects around 1.8 billion people globally and caused 50.3 million years lived with disability (YLDs) in 2019. While age-standardized rates of anemia have decreased since 1990, the absolute numbers have increased, likely due to population growth and aging. Dietary iron deficiency remains the primary cause of anemia worldwide.