Blood Disorders

Blood disorders affect one or more parts of the blood and prevent your blood from doing its job. They can be acute or chronic. Many blood disorders are inherited. Other causes include other diseases, side effects of medicines, and a lack of certain nutrients in your diet.

Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Hong Kong. It claimed about 12900 in-patient discharges and in-patient deaths in all hospitals†, and 360 registered deaths‡ in 2013. It was the tenth commonest cause of deaths in Hong Kong, accounting for 0.8% of all deaths in 2013. The crude death rates were 5.4 for male and 4.6 for female per 100000 population of respective sex in 2013. The true number of deaths from diabetes is possibly higher since many deaths can be attributed to its late complications. Age-standardised death rates were 3.0 for male and 2.1 for female per 100000 standard population in 2013. From early 1980's to 2000, the age standardised mortality rate showed a general increasing trend but a decreasing trend from 2001. Based on Population Health Survey 2003/04, 3.8% of people aged 15 and above reported that they had doctor-diagnosed diabetes.

Depending on the disorder, treatment options can include growth factors to stimulate blood cell production, steroids or other drugs to suppress the immune system, and chemotherapy to destroy abnormal cells. Bleeding disorders like hemophilia may call for blood-component therapies, such as platelet transfusions or clotting factors; diseases that involve clotting might be treated with drugs that inhibit clot formation.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) leads the world in promoting and supporting clinical and scientific hematology research through its many innovative award programs, meetings, publications, and advocacy efforts.