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A Clinical and Economic Evaluation of Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Ana Ortega ,
George Dranitsaris  and
Anitasha Puodziunas
Ana Ortega
Affiliation:
Princess Margaret Hospital
George Dranitsaris
Affiliation:
Princess Margaret Hospital
Anitasha Puodziunas
Affiliation:
Princess Margaret Hospital
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Abstract

A clinical and economic evaluation of red blood cell (RBC) utilization in cancer patients during chemotherapy is described. Using a randomized sampling process, 100 patients who had received chemotherapy with or without cisplatin were selected (50 in each group). Multiple logistic regression was then used to identify risks factors for transfusion requirements. Twenty-five percent of patients in the cisplatin and 12% in the noncisplatin group received at least one blood transfusion during chemotherapy (p =.09). Depressed hemoglobin levels and cisplatin dosage were identified as risk factors for transfusion requirements. Combining all transfused patients revealed an overall cost of Can $599 (95% Cl: $513–$683) per transfusion. The results of the current study indicated that anemia is a common complication of cancer chemotherapy that can be costly to manage.

Keywords

Blood TransfusionsCostsAnemiaChemotherapyCancerCisplatin
Type
General Essays
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , Fall 1998 , pp. 788 - 798
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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