Thalassemia Major and Intermedia in Patients Older than 35 Years: A Single Center Experience.
Isr Med Assoc J
; 19(12): 767-771, 2017 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29235740
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
During the past decades, beta thalassemia major (TM) and beta thalassemia intermedia (TI) have transformed from a universally fatal disease at a young age into a chronic disease. This advancement is attributed to improved chelation therapy as well as enhanced management strategies, with focused attention on disease and treatment-related complications.OBJECTIVES:
To describe characteristics of adults with thalassemia as well as treatment modalities, disease and treatment-related complications, and socioeconomic information of the patients.METHODS:
We preformed a retrospective analysis of 14 adult patients > 35 years of age with TM and TI who were treated at our institute, a single center specializing in the care of adult thalassemia patients living in Israel, between the years 2006 and 2016.RESULTS:
The median age of patients was 37 years and most patients were transfusion-dependent. The median number of chelation therapeutic lines was three, and 85.7% of patients were treated at one point by combination chelation therapy. Most patients suffered from at least some form of endocrine dysfunction (n=12), and four patients developed overt heart failure. Of the patients, 85% had completed at least a high school education, 78% were employed, and 64.2% were married.CONCLUSIONS:
Prolonged survival of thalassemia patients in recent years has been accompanied by a new set of challenges for both the patients and the treating staff. Further research is warranted to improve both medical management and the socioeconomic well-being of this unique group of adult thalassemia patients.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Transfusión Sanguínea
/
Terapia por Quelación
/
Talasemia beta
/
Terapia Combinada
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Isr Med Assoc J
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Israel