Journal of Hematology & Thromboembolic Diseases
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Blood Transfusion on Supportive Therapy of Elderly Patients at Kumamoto, Japan as Compared with Khon Kaen, Thailand

Ratiorn Pornkuna, Somchai Wongkhante, Sompong Jinathongthai, Satomi Shimogawa and Shigeki Takemoto

After rising to the highest level of life expectancy ever in the early 21st century, Japan is expected to become an aged society the links of which no other country in the world has experienced. The aging rate in Kumamoto exceeds the national average and is one of the top ranking long living societies in Japan. The old population of Khon Kaen is also the second-largest of aging population in Thailand. More than 2,500 patients with malignant neoplasm were treated every year at National Hospital Organization Kumamoto Medical Center (KMC) in Japan as well as at Khon Kaen Regional Hospital (KKH) in Thailand. Especially KMC had so many patients older and equal 60 years accounted for 70% of those patients. Patients with malignant tumors in KMC were in the 8th decade (29.6% in 2011), while those in KKH were in the 6th decade (26.1% in 2011). In addition, the number of patients with cancer was increasing at KKH, while it was stable at KMC. Transfusion products, particularly red blood cell supply increased, which correspond to the increasing ageing population at Kumamoto, Japan. KKH is one of 25 regional blood centers in Thailand and blood cell supply increased year by year, suggesting not only developing system of blood bank but also increasing elderly patients who need blood transfusion for their therapy. Now under the limits of medical resources, we are to provide the best healthcare (prevention of diseases) in the extent permitted by the country's economic situation.