[Therapy and prognosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia]

Of 48 patients with autoimmunohaemolytic anaemia who were treated in our clinic during the last 10 years 13 could fully be cured, 20 exhibited a satisfying improvement, 7 remained without improvement and 8 died (3 of them of the basic disease). The results obtained allow the conclusion that the therapeutic use of corticosteroids, particularly at the beginning of the treatment as well as in the acute haemolytic attack is justified. Cytostatics, however, are especially suitable for long-term therapy, whereas splenectomy should be performed when no sufficient therapeutic success was achieved and in special cases. Under optimal therapy and repeated control the prognosis is to be regarded as favourable. For this reason treatment and further care by a haematological centre are demanded, since in such a facility are the most favourable conditions for the best care of the patients with autoimmunohaemolytic anaemia.