Romiplostim for Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia in Routine Clinical Practice: Results from a Multicentre Observational Study in Germany.

Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of romiplostim were evaluated by immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) phase (newly diagnosed/persistent/chronic) at romiplostim initiation.

Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of a prospective, German, multicentre, observational study in adults with ITP who received ≥1 dose of romiplostim. Follow-up data were collected for ≤2 years.

[Hemolytic anemias and vitamin B12 deficieny].

Hemolytic anemias consist of corpuscular, immun-hemolytic and toxic hemolytic anemias. Within the group of corpuscular hemolytic anemias, except for the paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), all symptoms are caused by underlying heredetiary disorders within the red blood cell membran (hereditary spherocytosis), deficiencies of red cell enzymes (G6PDH- and pyrovatkinase deficiency) or disorders in the hemoglobin molecule (thalassaemia and sickle cell disease). Immune-hemolytic anemias are acquired hemolytic anemias and hemolysis is caused by auto- or allo-antibodies which are directed against red blood cell antigens.

[Monoclonal gammopathy--multiple myeloma].

The diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), requires both the detection of monoclonal gammopathy by immunofixation on the one hand, and the exclusion of signs of multiple myeloma (MM) on the other. The risk of an MGUS evolving into an MM is about 1% per year. The possibility of an MM should be considered in particular in elderly patients with an elevated ESR, anemia, recurrent infections and hypercalcemia.