Abstract

MACHIN GARCIA, Sergio et al. Treatment with moderate doses of hydroxyurea in drepanocytosis. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2996.

From June 2003 to June 2005, 45 patients with drepanocytic anemia, 16 children and 29 adults, with at least one of the following manifestations were treated with hydroxyurea: more than 3 painful vasoocclusive crises (VOC) at a year and 3 years before the study, one or more episodes of acute thoracic syndrome (ATS) at a year and 2 years previous to the study, or vascular encephalic accident (VEA) in the previous year. Hydroxyurea was administered at doses of 15mg/kg/day. The number of painful VOC, ATS, VEA, admissions and transfusions decreased significantly (p<0.001). There was not either reduction of the hematological parameters or increase of creatinin or alanine aminotransferase. An important rise of fetal hemoglobin values (p<0.008) was reported. There were no toxic manifestations and the fulfilment was good. It was proved in this paper that it is not necessary to take the maximum tolerated dose of hydroxyurea to improve the clinical picture in drepanocytic anemia. Two of its advantages are its lower toxicity and the less expensive treatment. This would make possible that a greater amount of children in those countries with scarce resources may benefit from the treatment.

Keywords : drepanopcytic anemia; painful vasoocclusive crisis; acute thoracic syndrome; hydroxyurea.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )