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Chapter 40 - Anemia and Other Hematological Problems

from Section III - Care of the Elderly by Organ System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

By
Satish Shanbhag  and
Rakhi P. Naik
Edited by
Jan Busby-Whitehead ,
Samuel C. Durso ,
Christine Arenson ,
Rebecca Elon ,
Mary H. Palmer  and
William Reichel
Jan Busby-Whitehead
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson
Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center
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Summary

Hematologic abnormalities occur commonly in the elderly. The prevalence of anemia appears to increase with age and may be caused by various underlying etiologies, including iron deficiency, anemia of inflammation, or myelodysplastic syndrome. Thrombocytopenia due to underlying comorbidities, medications, or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may also occur. Hematologic malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma also become more prevalent with age. A systematic approach to the evaluation of these hematologic abnormalities is imperative to help guide diagnosis and management. For acute or progressive conditions, a multidisciplinary team of both geriatricians and hematologists is essential to ensure proper diagnosis, frailty assessment, and initiation of appropriate therapies. Novel therapies for the various hematological malignancies are well tolerated, turning life-threatening illnesses into chronic disease that can be managed while preserving quality of life.

Keywords

anemiamicrocyticmacrocytichemolysisiron deficiencythrombocytopeniamyelodysplastic syndromehematologic malignancymyelomaleukemia
Type
Chapter
Information
Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
 , pp. 493 - 505
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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