Impact of thalassemia major on patients and their families

Caro, J. J., Ward, A., Greene, T. C., Huybrechts, K., Arana, A., Wait, S., & Eleftheriou, A. (2002). Impact of thalassemia major on patients and their families. Acta Haematologica, 107(3), 150-157.

Objective: To describe the burden of thalassemia major and its treatment, in terms of prevalence of iron-overload-related complications, direct and indirect costs, and the patient's physical and social well-being. Methods: From October 1999 to May 2000 a survey of patients with thalassemia major was conducted in ten countries: Cyprus., Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Taiwan, and the United States. Results: 1,888 questionnaires (65%) were returned. The responses suggest that nowadays patients begin blood transfusions, and most use desferrioxamine (84.8%), but iron-related complications, including life-threatening ones such as heart disease, are still common. Conclusions: There remains a need to improve the management of thalassemia, as many patients with iron-related complications experience physical and social limitations. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.