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Sharma Y, Bhat D, Sridevi P, Surti SB, Ranjit M, Sarmah J, Sudhakar G, Babu BV. Sickle cell disease in Indian tribal population: Findings of a multi-centre Indian SCD registry. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2024; 109:102873. [PMID: 39024737 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2024.102873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease (SCD) registries provide crucial real-world data on demographics, epidemiology, healthcare, patient outcomes, and treatment efficacy. This paper presents findings from the Indian SCD Registry (ISCDR) on clinical manifestations, crisis episodes, disease management, and healthcare utilization in patients with SCD from 12 primary health centres (PHCs) in six tribal districts of India. METHODS The ISCDR was introduced along with a three-tier screening process. Its Android-based application incorporates two electronic case report forms for patient data collection over one year. This paper presents a year's data from the ISCDR's 324 patients with SCD. RESULTS Patients with SCD, aged one to 65 years, exhibited varied clinical manifestations. Most patients (85.2 %) were unaware of their SCD status before enrolling in ISCDR. Moderate to severe anaemia was prevalent (66.05 % and 30.56 %, respectively). Pain was a common complaint (80.86 %; CI: 76.17-85.00), while symptoms of stroke included sudden severe headaches (34.57 %; CI: 29.40-40.02). Common splenic sequestration symptoms included stomach pain (42.90 %; CI: 37.44-48.49) and abdominal tenderness (13.27 %; CI: 9.77-17.46), as a sign. Healthcare utilization was high, with 96.30 % receiving treatment and 83.64 % consuming hydroxyurea. Hospitalization occurred for 38.27 % (CI: 32.95-43.81), and 12.04 % (CI: 8.70-16.09) had blood transfusion during last year. CONCLUSIONS ISCDR serves as a dynamic digital database on SCD epidemiology, clinical aspects, treatment and healthcare utilization. Notably, many patients lacked prior awareness of their SCD status, underscoring the need for improved awareness and care management. Integrating the registry into the national programme can streamline treatment implementation, prioritize management approaches, and optimize individual benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogita Sharma
- Division of Socio-Behavioural, Health Systems & Implementation Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepa Bhat
- Department of Anatomy, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore, India
| | - Parikipandla Sridevi
- Department of Biotechnology, Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh, Vizianagaram, India
| | - Shaily B Surti
- Department of Community Medicine, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Parul University, Vadodara, India
| | - Manoranjan Ranjit
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Indian Council of Medical Research-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Jatin Sarmah
- Department of Biotechnology, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, India
| | - Godi Sudhakar
- Department of Human Genetics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Bontha V Babu
- Division of Socio-Behavioural, Health Systems & Implementation Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.
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Vlachaki E, Venou TM. Iron overload: The achilles heel of β-thalassemia. Transfus Clin Biol 2024; 31:167-173. [PMID: 38849068 DOI: 10.1016/j.tracli.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Systematic transfusions coupled with iron chelation therapy have substantially improved the life expectancy of thalassemia patients in developed nations. As the human organism does not have a protective mechanism to remove excess iron, iron overload is a significant concern in thalassemia, leading to organ damage, especially in the heart and liver. Thus, iron chelation therapy is crucial to prevent or reverse organ iron overload. There are three widely used iron chelators, either as monotherapy or in combination. The choice of iron chelator depends on several factors, including local guidelines, drug availability, and the individual clinical scenario. Despite treatment advancements, challenges persist, especially in resource-limited settings, highlighting the need for improved global healthcare access. This review discusses clinical management, current treatments, and future directions for thalassemia, focusing on iron overload and its complications. Furthermore, it underscores the progress in transforming thalassemia into a manageable chronic condition and the potential of novel therapies to further enhance patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Vlachaki
- Adults Thalassemia Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Theodora-Maria Venou
- Adults Thalassemia Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Klonizakis P, Klaassen RJ, Roy N, Papatsouma I, Mainou M, Christodoulou I, Tsapas A, Vlachaki E. Quality of Life in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients in Greece Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Value Health Reg Issues 2024; 42:100986. [PMID: 38723367 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2024.100986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging situation for transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients. The objectives of this study were to measure the quality of life (QoL) in TDT patients during the COVID-19 lockdown restriction measures, compare the results with the pre-COVID-19 era, and evaluate the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors on QoL. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 110 consecutively selected adult TDT patients, during the stringent lockdown restriction measures implemented in Greece. All participants completed a combination of 2 QoL questionnaires, the generic Short-Form Health Survey 36 version 2 and the disease-specific Transfusion-Quality of life (TranQol). We used the "1/2 SD method," a distribution-based approach to calculate minimal clinically important differences and clinically compare the QoL scores between the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era. A backward stepwise linear regression was selected to explore the influence of potential predictors on TranQol scores. RESULTS The Short-Form Health Survey 36 version 2 and TranQol scores remained low but not clinically different compared with the pre-COVID-19 era. Older, married, and higher educated TDT patients exhibited significantly lower TranQol summary scores. The patients who reported a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly lower TranQol scores in summary and all subdomains except for school and career. CONCLUSIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall QoL of TDT patients was clinically similar to the status of the pre-COVID-19 era. Nevertheless, most of the significant QoL subdomains were negatively affected, and distinct groups of TDT patients were more vulnerable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippos Klonizakis
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Robert J Klaassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Ottawa, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Noémi Roy
- Department of Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
| | | | - Maria Mainou
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna Christodoulou
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Apostolos Tsapas
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Musallam KM, Barella S, Origa R, Ferrero GB, Lisi R, Pasanisi A, Longo F, Gianesin B, Forni GL. Differential effects of iron chelators on iron burden and long-term morbidity and mortality outcomes in a large cohort of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia patients who remained on the same monotherapy over 10 years. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2024; 107:102859. [PMID: 38820707 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2024.102859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 663 transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia patients receiving the same iron chelation monotherapy with deferoxamine, deferiprone, or deferasirox for up to 10 years (median age 31.8 years, 49.9 % females). Patients on all three iron chelators had a steady and significant decline in serum ferritin over the 10 years (median deferoxamine: -170.7 ng/mL, P = 0.049, deferiprone: -236.7 ng/mL, P = 0.001; deferasirox: -323.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001) yet had no significant change in liver iron concentration or cardiac T2*; while noting that patients generally had low hepatic and cardiac iron levels at study start. Median absolute, relative, and normalized changes were generally comparable between the three iron chelators. Patients receiving deferasirox had the highest morbidity and mortality-free survival probability among the three chelators, although the difference was only statistically significant when compared with deferoxamine (P = 0.037). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, there was no significant association between iron chelator type and the composite outcome of morbidity or mortality. In a real-world setting, there is comparable long-term iron chelation effectiveness between the three available iron chelators for patients with mild-to-moderate iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorders (CR-RBD), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susanna Barella
- S.C. Centro delle Microcitemie e Anemie Rare, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Raffaella Origa
- Università di Cagliari, S.C. Centro delle Microcitemie e Anemie Rare, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Ferrero
- Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemia Reference Center, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Lisi
- Thalassemia Unit, ARNAS Garibaldi, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Pasanisi
- Centro della Microcitemia A.Quarta, Hematology Unit, A. Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
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Fragkou N, Vlachaki E, Goulis I, Sinakos E. Liver disease in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia: The emerging role of metabolism dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:671-677. [PMID: 38818299 PMCID: PMC11135276 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In this Editorial, we highlight the possible role that metabolism dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) may play in the future, regarding liver disease in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDBT). MASLD is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis), in the presence of cardiometabolic factors. There is a strong correlation between the occurrence of MASLD and insulin resistance, while its increased prevalence parallels the global epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity. Patients with TDBT need regular transfusions for life to ensure their survival. Through these transfusions, a large amount of iron is accumulated, which causes saturation of transferrin and leads to the circulation of free iron molecules, which cause damage to vital organs (primarily the liver and myocardium). Over the past, the main mechanisms for the development of liver disease in these patients have been the toxic effect of iron on the liver and chronic hepatitis C, for which modern and effective treatments have been found, resulting in successful treatment. Additional advances in the treatment and monitoring of these patients have led to a reduction in deaths, and an increase in their life expectancy. This increased survival makes them vulnerable to the onset of diseases, which until recently were mainly related to the non-thalassemic general population, such as obesity and DM. There is insufficient data in the literature regarding the prevalence of MASLD in this population or on the risk factors for its occurrence. However, it was recently shown by a study of 45 heavily transfused patients with beta-thalassemia (Padeniya et al, BJH), that the presence of steatosis is a factor influencing the value of liver elastography and thus liver fibrosis. These findings suggest that future research in the field of liver disease in patients with TDBT should be focused on the occurrence, the risk factors, and the effect of MASLD on these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Fragkou
- 4 Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Efthimia Vlachaki
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Ioannis Goulis
- 4 Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Sinakos
- 4 Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece.
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Bardón-Cancho EJ, Marco-Sánchez JM, Benéitez-Pastor D, Payán-Pernía S, Llobet AR, Berrueco R, García-Morin M, Beléndez C, Senent L, Acosta MJO, Pleguezuelos IP, Velasco P, Collado A, Moreno-Carbonell M, Argilés B, de Soto IP, Del Mar Bermúdez M, Salido Fiérrez EJ, Blanco-Álvarez A, Navarro PG, Cela E. Spanish registry of hemoglobinopathies and rare anemias (REHem-AR): demographics, complications, and management of patients with β-thalassemia. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:1525-1539. [PMID: 38519604 PMCID: PMC11009731 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05694-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The increase in the number of patients with hemoglobinopathies in Europe in recent decades highlights the need for more detailed epidemiological information in Spain. To fulfil this need, the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP) sponsored the creation of a national registry of hemoglobinopathies known as REHem-AR (Spanish Registry of Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias). Data from the transfusion-dependent (TDT) and non-transfusion-dependent (NTDT) β-thalassemia cohorts are described and analyzed. METHODS We performed an observational, multicenter, and ambispective study, which included patients of any age with TDT and NTDT, registered up to December 31, 2021. RESULTS Among the 1741 patients included, 168 cases of thalassemia were identified (103 TDT and 65 NTDT-patients). Survival at 18 years was 93% for TDT and 100% for NTDT. Regarding management, 80 patients with TDT (77.7%) and 23 patients with NTDT (35.4%) started chelation treatment during follow-up, with deferasirox being the most widely used. A total of 76 patients within the TDT cohort presented at least 1 complication (73.8%), the most frequent being hemosiderosis and osteopenia-osteoporosis. Comparison of both cohorts revealed significant differences in the diagnosis of hepatic hemosiderosis (p = 0.00024), although these were not observed in the case of cardiac iron overload (p = 0.27). DISCUSSION Our registry enabled us to describe the management of β thalassemia in Spain and to analyze the morbidity and mortality of the cohorts of patients with TDT and NTDT. Complications related to iron overload in TDT and NTDT account for most of the morbidity and mortality of the disease, which is associated with a considerable social, psychological, and economic impact, although cardiac, osteopathy and endocrinological complications requiring more attention. The convenience and simplicity of online registries make it possible to homogenize variables and periodically update data, thus providing valuable information on these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo J Bardón-Cancho
- Data Manager de Grupo de trabajo de Eritropatología de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas (SEHOP), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle O'Donnell, 48, Madrid, España
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - José Manuel Marco-Sánchez
- Data Manager de Grupo de trabajo de Eritropatología de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas (SEHOP), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle O'Donnell, 48, Madrid, España
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - David Benéitez-Pastor
- Grupo de Investigación Translacional en Anemias Minoritarias, Unidad de Eritropatología. Servicio de Hematología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) y Vall d'Hebron Institut d'Oncologia (VHIO), ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Grupo de Eritropatología SEHH, Grupo Clínico Vinculado GCV21/ER/1, Barcelona, España
| | - Salvador Payán-Pernía
- Servicio de Hematología. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España
| | - Anna Ruiz Llobet
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital San Joan de Déu de Barcelona (IRP-HSJD), Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Rubén Berrueco
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital San Joan de Déu de Barcelona (IRP-HSJD), Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Marina García-Morin
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
| | - Cristina Beléndez
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Leonor Senent
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | | | | | - Pablo Velasco
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Anna Collado
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Marta Moreno-Carbonell
- Servicio de Hematología. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Bienvenida Argilés
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - Inmaculada Pérez de Soto
- Servicio de Hematología. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España
| | | | | | - Adoración Blanco-Álvarez
- Unitat de Genètica Molecular Hematològica. Servei d'Hematologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Murcia, España
| | - Pablo González Navarro
- Bioestadístico. Unidad de Investigación Materno Infantil. Fundación Familia Alonso (UDIMIFFA). Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio, Madrid, España
| | - Elena Cela
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
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Soubrier C, Jean E, De Sainte Marie B, Agouti I, Seguier J, Lavoipierre V, Clapasson C, Iline N, Gonin J, Giorgi R, Schleinitz N, Thuret I, Badens C, Bernit E. [Health status and quality of life in β-thalassemia adults in Marseille, France]. Rev Med Interne 2024; 45:187-193. [PMID: 38519305 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The life expectancy of β-thalassemia patients has increased over the last 20 years. In this study, we evaluated the current health status and quality of life of these patients managed in a reference center in Marseille. METHODS This is a single-center, descriptive study conducted between June and August 2019 in patients over 18 years of age with β-thalassemia major or intermedia. Clinical and paraclinical data were collected retrospectively and the SF-36 health survey questionnaire was proposed to each patient. RESULTS 43 of 64 selected patients were included and divided into 2 groups: 35 patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and 8 patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Liver iron overload is the most frequent complication, present in 80% of transfusion-dependent and 62.5% of non-transfusion-dependent patients. Cardiac iron overload is present only in the transfusion dependent β-thalassemia group (20%). Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism remains the most common endocrine disorder (41.9%) followed by osteoporosis (37.2%). Among the 31 patients who completed the SF-36 questionnaire, physical and mental quality of life scores were lowered in transfusion dependent (respectively 42.7 and 46.8) as in non-transfusion-dependent patients (respectively 43.8 and 28.9). CONCLUSION Despite an improvement in medical care, our patients with β-thalassemia show an alteration in their quality of life that will need to be characterized in the entire French cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Soubrier
- Service de médecine interne et médecine polyvalente, centre hospitalier d'Ajaccio Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde, site du Stilettu, 1180, route A.-Madunuccia, 20090 Ajaccio, France.
| | - E Jean
- Département de médecine interne, AP-HM, hôpital Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France
| | - B De Sainte Marie
- Département de médecine interne, AP-HM, hôpital Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France
| | - I Agouti
- Centre de référence des syndromes drépanocytaires majeurs, thalassémies et autres pathologies rares du globule rouge et de l'érythropoïèse, hôpital de la Timone, AP-PH, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France
| | - J Seguier
- Département de médecine interne, AP-HM, hôpital Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France
| | - V Lavoipierre
- Service de médecine interne, centre hospitalier de Martigues, 3, boulevard des Rayettes, BP 50248, 13698 Martigues cedex, France
| | - C Clapasson
- Établissement français du sang, région PACA, 149, boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - N Iline
- AP-HM, Hop Timone, BioSTIC, biostatistiques et technologies de l'information et de la communication, Marseille, France
| | - J Gonin
- AP-HM, Hop Timone, BioSTIC, biostatistiques et technologies de l'information et de la communication, Marseille, France
| | - R Giorgi
- AP-HM, Hop Timone, BioSTIC, biostatistiques et technologies de l'information et de la communication, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille université, AP-HM, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - N Schleinitz
- Département de médecine interne, AP-HM, hôpital Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France; Aix-Marseille université, Marseille, France
| | - I Thuret
- Centre de référence des syndromes drépanocytaires majeurs, thalassémies et autres pathologies rares du globule rouge et de l'érythropoïèse, hôpital de la Timone, AP-PH, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France
| | - C Badens
- Laboratoire de biochimie, AP-HM, hôpital Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex, France
| | - E Bernit
- Unité transversale de la drépanocytose, centre de référence Antilles-Guyane pour la drépanocytose, les thalassémies et les maladies constitutives du globule rouge et de l'érythropoïèse, CHU Guadeloupe, pôle parents-enfants, hôpital Ricou, BP465, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre cedex, France
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Taneera J, Mahgoub E, Qannita R, Alalami A, Shehadat OA, Youssef M, Dib A, Hajji AA, Hajji AA, Al-Khaja F, Dewedar H, Hamad M. β-Thalassemia and Diabetes Mellitus: Current State and Future Directions. Horm Metab Res 2024; 56:272-278. [PMID: 37871612 DOI: 10.1055/a-2185-5073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
β-Thalassemia major is a congenital hemoglobin disorder that requires regular blood transfusion. The disease is often associated with iron overload and diabetes mellitus, among other complications. Pancreatic iron overload in β-thalassemia patients disrupts β-cell function and insulin secretion and induces insulin resistance. Several risk factors, including family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, gender, and advanced age increase the risk of diabetes in β-thalassemia patients. Precautionary measures such as blood glucose monitoring, anti-diabetic medications, and healthy living in β-thalassemia patients notwithstanding, the prevalence of diabetes in β-thalassemia patients continues to rise. This review aims to address the relationship between β-thalassemia and diabetes in an attempt to understand how the pathology and management of β-thalassemia precipitate diabetes mellitus. The possible employment of surrogate biomarkers for early prediction and intervention is discussed. More work is still needed to better understand the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the link between β-thalassemia and diabetes and to identify novel prognostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalal Taneera
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eglal Mahgoub
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reem Qannita
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayah Alalami
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ola Al Shehadat
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mona Youssef
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayah Dib
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alaa Al Hajji
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amani Al Hajji
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Hany Dewedar
- Dubai Thalassemia Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mawieh Hamad
- University of Sharjah College of Health Sciences, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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9
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Musallam KM, Cappellini MD, Coates TD, Kuo KHM, Al-Samkari H, Sheth S, Viprakasit V, Taher AT. Αlpha-thalassemia: A practical overview. Blood Rev 2024; 64:101165. [PMID: 38182489 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
α-Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by decreased synthesis of α-globin chains that results in an imbalance of α and β globin and thus varying degrees of ineffective erythropoiesis, decreased red blood cell (RBC) survival, chronic hemolytic anemia, and subsequent comorbidities. Clinical presentation varies depending on the genotype, ranging from a silent or mild carrier state to severe, transfusion-dependent or lethal disease. Management of patients with α-thalassemia is primarily supportive, addressing either symptoms (eg, RBC transfusions for anemia), complications of the disease, or its transfusion-dependence (eg, chelation therapy for iron overload). Several novel therapies are also in development, including curative gene manipulation techniques and disease modifying agents that target ineffective erythropoiesis and chronic hemolytic anemia. This review of α-thalassemia and its various manifestations provides practical information for clinicians who practice beyond those regions where it is found with high frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorders (CR-RBD), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - M Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, University of Milan, Ca' Granda Foundation IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Thomas D Coates
- Hematology Section, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kevin H M Kuo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hanny Al-Samkari
- Center for Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sujit Sheth
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Department of Pediatrics & Thalassemia Center, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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10
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Lucioni E, Pellegrino F, Remor D, Cossu A, Niero D, Longo F, Zatelli MC, Giganti M, Carnevale A, Ambrosio MR. Bone densitometry in Thalassemia major: a closer look at pitfalls and operator-related errors in a 10-year follow-up population. LA RADIOLOGIA MEDICA 2024; 129:488-496. [PMID: 38353863 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-024-01759-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) with tolerable error rate, high precision, and excellent consistency. Our objective was to investigate the frequency and distribution of errors in a cohort of patients with Thalassemia major (TM). METHODS We reviewed the DXA examinations of 340 patients with β-TM followed by our institution, acquired in different imaging centers between 2009 and 2019. We collected sex and age at the time of the first examination and at the last visit, as well as BMD, T-score, and Z-score values. Errors were analyzed by anatomical site (lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck). RESULTS Out of 5099 total DXA scans, 11.85% presented one or more errors. Specifically, the incorrect examinations were 315 out of 1707 (18.45%) at the lumbar spine level, 113 out of 1697 (6.66%) at the total hip, 176 out of 1695 (10.38%) at the femoral neck. Errors in vertebral inclusion were the most frequently registered (45.86%). A significant difference resulted from the comparison of the T-score and Z-score median values of all the lumbar spine DXA examinations and the correct ones (p value 0.037 and 0.0003, respectively). CONCLUSION Although not directly involved in the performance and interpretation of DXA, physicians interested in osteoporosis management should be familiar with the protocols to minimize errors and allow the proper use of bone densitometry. DXA obtained at the spine level is more frequently affected by errors in patients with TM, potentially influencing the diagnostic assessment of bone health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lucioni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Damiano Remor
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Alberto Cossu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Desy Niero
- Department of Radiology, University of Padova, Via VIII Febbraio, 2, 35122, Padua, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Unit of Thalassaemia and Haemoglobinopathies Day Hospital, Regional HUB Centre, Department of Medicine, Sant'Anna University Hospital, 44123, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Zatelli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Melchiore Giganti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Aldo Carnevale
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Ambrosio
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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11
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Klonizakis P, Roy N, Papatsouma I, Mainou M, Christodoulou I, Pantelidou D, Kokkota S, Diamantidis M, Kourakli A, Lazaris V, Andriopoulos D, Tsapas A, Klaassen RJ, Vlachaki E. A Cross-Sectional, Multicentric, Disease-Specific, Health-Related Quality of Life Study in Greek Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia Patients. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:524. [PMID: 38470634 PMCID: PMC10931193 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12050524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in thalassemia offers a holistic approach to the disease and facilitates better communication between physicians and patients. This study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL of transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients in Greece. This was a multicentric, cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 involving 283 adult TDT patients. All participants completed a set of two QoL questionnaires, the generic SF-36v2 and the disease-specific TranQol. Demographic and clinical characteristics were used to predefine patient subgroups. Significant factors identified in the univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate analysis to assess their effect on HRQoL. The SF-36 scores of TDT patients were consistently lower compared to the general population in Greece. The mean summary score of TranQol was relatively high (71 ± 14%), exceeding levels observed in national surveys in other countries. Employment emerged as the most significant independent factor associated with better HRQoL, whereas age had the most significant negative effect. This study represents the first comprehensive QoL assessment of a representative sample of the TDT population in Greece. The implementation of TranQol allowed for the quantification of HRQoL in Greece, establishing a baseline for future follow-up, and identifying more vulnerable patient subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippos Klonizakis
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.M.); (I.C.); (E.V.)
| | - Noémi Roy
- Department of Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford OX3 0AG, UK;
| | - Ioanna Papatsouma
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BP, UK;
| | - Maria Mainou
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.M.); (I.C.); (E.V.)
| | - Ioanna Christodoulou
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.M.); (I.C.); (E.V.)
| | - Despina Pantelidou
- Thalassemia Unit, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Smaro Kokkota
- Thalassemia Unit, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Michael Diamantidis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, 41110 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Alexandra Kourakli
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies Center, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (A.K.); (V.L.)
| | - Vasileios Lazaris
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies Center, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (A.K.); (V.L.)
| | - Dimitrios Andriopoulos
- Haemato-Oncology Department, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK;
| | - Apostolos Tsapas
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Robert J. Klaassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Ottawa, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada;
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Adults Thalassemia Unit-2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.M.); (I.C.); (E.V.)
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12
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El-Beshlawy A, Dewedar H, Hindawi S, Alkindi S, Tantawy AA, Yassin MA, Taher AT. Management of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT): Expert insights and practical overview from the Middle East. Blood Rev 2024; 63:101138. [PMID: 37867006 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
β-Thalassemia is one of the most common monogenetic diseases worldwide, with a particularly high prevalence in the Middle East region. As such, we have developed long-standing experience with disease management and devising solutions to address challenges attributed to resource limitations. The region has also participated in the majority of clinical trials and development programs of iron chelators and more novel ineffective erythropoiesis-targeted therapy. In this review, we provide a practical overview of management for patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, primarily driven by such experiences, with the aim of transferring knowledge to colleagues in other regions facing similar challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal El-Beshlawy
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hany Dewedar
- Thalassemia Center, Latifa Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salwa Hindawi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salam Alkindi
- Department of Hematology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Azza A Tantawy
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Yassin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, National Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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13
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Wood JC. Cardiac complications in thalassemia throughout the lifespan: Victories and challenges. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1530:64-73. [PMID: 37902424 PMCID: PMC10841366 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Thalassemias are among the most common hereditary diseases in the world because heterozygosity offers protection against malarial infection. Affected individuals have variable expression of alpha or beta chains that lead to their unbalanced utilization during hemoglobin formation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of red cell precursors prior to maturation. Some individuals produce sufficient hemoglobin to survive but suffer the vascular stress imposed by chronic anemia and ineffective erythropoiesis. In other patients, mature red cell formation is insufficient, and chronic transfusions are required-suppressing anemia and ineffective erythropoiesis but at the expense of iron overload. The cardiovascular consequences of thalassemia have changed dramatically over the previous five decades because of evolving treatment practices. This review summarizes this evolution, focusing on complications and management pertinent to modern patient cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Wood
- Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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14
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Hodroj MH, Akiki N, Bou-Fakhredin R, Taher AT. Beta-thalassemia: is cure still a dream? Minerva Med 2023; 114:850-860. [PMID: 37534831 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.23.08501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
β-thalassemia is a monogenic disorder characterized by decreased hemoglobin production, resulting in chronic anemia. There are several factors affecting the clinical presentation of patients with β-thalassemia, and several complications such as iron overload or ineffective erythropoiesis have been linked to this disease. Until nowadays, several conservative therapies namely blood transfusions, iron chelation, and the FDA-approved drug Luspatercept have been adopted alongside other debatable permanent cures. Other clinical trials are being conducted to develop better and safer management techniques for these patients. This review will discuss the different treatment strategies of β-thalassemia including novel therapies, besides all possible curative therapies that are being developed for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Hodroj
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nathalie Akiki
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rayan Bou-Fakhredin
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ali T Taher
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon -
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15
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Musallam KM, Lombard L, Kistler KD, Arregui M, Gilroy KS, Chamberlain C, Zagadailov E, Ruiz K, Taher AT. Epidemiology of clinically significant forms of alpha- and beta-thalassemia: A global map of evidence and gaps. Am J Hematol 2023; 98:1436-1451. [PMID: 37357829 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
This systematic literature review assessed the global prevalence and birth prevalence of clinically significant forms of alpha- and beta-thalassemia. Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for observational studies published January 1, 2000, to September 21, 2021. Of 2093 unique records identified, 69 studies reported across 70 publications met eligibility criteria, including 6 records identified from bibliography searches. Thalassemia prevalence estimates varied across countries and even within countries. Across 23 population-based studies reporting clinically significant alpha-thalassemia (e.g., hemoglobin H disease and hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis) and/or beta-thalassemia (beta-thalassemia intermedia, major, and/or hemoglobin E/beta-thalassemia), prevalence estimates per 100 000 people ranged from 0.2 in Spain (over 2014-2017) to 27.2 in Greece (2010-2015) for combined beta- plus alpha-thalassemia; from 0.03 in Spain (2014-2017) to 4.5 in Malaysia (2007-2018) for alpha-thalassemia; and from 0.2 in Spain (2014-2017) to 35.7 to 49.6 in Iraq (2003-2018) for beta-thalassemia. Overall, the estimated prevalence of thalassemia followed the predicted pattern of being higher in the Middle East, Asia, and Mediterranean than in Europe or North America. However, population-based prevalence estimates were not found for many countries, and there was heterogeneity in case definitions, diagnostic methodology, type of thalassemia reported, and details on transfusion requirements. Limited population-based birth prevalence data were found. Twenty-seven studies reported thalassemia prevalence from non-population-based samples. Results from such studies likely do not have countrywide generalizability as they tended to be from highly specific groups. To fully understand the global prevalence of thalassemia, up-to-date, population-based epidemiological data are needed for many countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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16
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Manganas K, Delicou S, Xydaki A, Kourakli A, Evliati L, Vlachaki E, Klironomos E, Diamantidis M, Lafiatis I, Kattamis A, Koskinas J. Predisposing factors for advanced liver fibrosis in patients with sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol 2023; 202:1192-1198. [PMID: 37438880 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common monogenic disorders worldwide and liver complications are common in this group of patients. Our study aims to highlight the prevalence of chronic liver complications and the main predisposing factors for advanced liver fibrosis in SCD patients. For this purpose, 219 patients from eight Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Units across Greece enrolled in our study and history of liver related disease complications was recorded, as well as a full laboratory and imaging analysis concerning their liver function. 13.6% of the patients had advanced liver fibrosis. The presence of liver fibrosis was significantly correlated with advanced age, male gender, cholelithiasis and higher LDH, γ-GT, INR, direct and indirect bilirubin levels. These patients had exhibited significantly more episodes of liver crises and acute intrahepatic cholestasis. No correlation was observed with right heart failure or previous viral hepatitis. Patients with advanced liver fibrosis were receiving a more intensive transfusion therapy for a longer period of time and had higher Liver Iron Concentration levels. Our study shows that liver complications and cirrhosis is a significant cause of morbidity in patients with SCD and it is primarily associated with intravascular hemolysis and vaso-occlusive phenomena and secondarily with iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Xydaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Kourakli
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathies Unit, Hematology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, University Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Loukia Evliati
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, General Hospital of Athens "Evaggelismos", Athens, Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Klironomos
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, "Venizelion" General Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Michail Diamantidis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ioannis Lafiatis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, "Vostanio" General Hospital of Mytilene, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Antonios Kattamis
- "Agia Sophia" Children Hospital, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - John Koskinas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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17
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Diamantidis MD, Karanikola RA, Polyzoudi C, Delicou S, Manafas A, Savera H, Xydaki A, Kotsiafti A, Tsangalas E, Ikonomou G, Mani E, Ntoulas K, Alexiou E, Argyrakouli I, Koskinas J, Fotiou P. Clinical significance of mutational variants in beta and alpha genes in patients with hemoglobinopathies from two large Greek centers: a complex interplay between genotype and phenotype. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1073-1082. [PMID: 37420139 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02342-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies affect patients in the wider Mediterranean area consisting of 4 distinct subgroups: beta thalassemia major (TM), beta thalassemia intermedia (TI), sickle cell disease (SCD) and hemoglobin H disease (alpha thalassemia). The clinical spectrum varies from mild to severe. Complex interactions between genes and environmental factors form the clinical manifestations. There is an unmet need to clarify these multifactorial mechanisms. This is the first Greek study describing mutational alleles (HBB and HBA1/HBA2 gene variants) in 217 patients with hemoglobinopathies of two large centers in Greece (Larissa and Athens) and associating particular genotypes or gene variants with clinical manifestations (transfusion frequency, complications). Thus, the complex interplay between corresponding genotypes and phenotypes was investigated. Our results are in accordance with previous national studies with limited variations, due to regional prevalence of specific gene variants, as expected. It is also a description of the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in the Greek population. The type and prevalence of beta and alpha globin gene variants differ significantly among countries. We also confirm the well-known observation of many studies that in our beta thalassemic or SCD patients, co-inheritance of variants in the alpha globin genes, leading to absence or reduction of alpha globin synthesis were associated with milder clinical course, whereas the inheritance of additional alpha genes (triplication) led to a more severe clinical phenotype. In cases in whom the genotype and phenotype did not correlate, factors like the function or modification of possible regulatory genes or additional nutritional-environmental effects should be investigated. KEY MESSAGES: • This is the first Greek study, fully molecularly defining the beta and alpha mutational alleles in 217 patients with hemoglobinopathies of two large centers in Greece and correlating particular genotypes or gene variants with clinical manifestations (transfusion frequency, complications). • In the beta thalassemic or SCD patients of our cohort, co-inheritance of variants in the alpha globin genes, leading to absence or reduction of alpha globin synthesis were associated with milder clinical course (confirmation of a well-known previous observation). • The inheritance of additional alpha genes (triplication) led to a more severe clinical phenotype (confirmation of a well known previous observation). • The function or modification of possible regulatory genes should be investigated in cases in whom the genotype and phenotype did not correlate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Diamantidis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Rebecca-Anastasia Karanikola
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Polyzoudi
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Achilles Manafas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Helen Savera
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Xydaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Kotsiafti
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Tsangalas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Georgia Ikonomou
- Thalassemia Prevention Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eirini Mani
- Thalassemia Prevention Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Ntoulas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Evangelos Alexiou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ioanna Argyrakouli
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - John Koskinas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Fotiou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
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18
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Kattamis A, Voskaridou E, Delicou S, Klironomos E, Lafiatis I, Petropoulou F, Diamantidis MD, Lafioniatis S, Evliati L, Kapsali E, Karvounis‐Marolachakis K, Timotheatou D, Deligianni C, Viktoratos P, Kourakli A. Real-world complication burden and disease management paradigms in transfusion-related β-thalassaemia in Greece: Results from ULYSSES, an epidemiological, multicentre, retrospective cross-sectional study. EJHAEM 2023; 4:569-581. [PMID: 37601860 PMCID: PMC10435690 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Patients with transfusion-dependent beta (β)-thalassaemia experience a broad range of complications. ULYSSES, an epidemiological, multicentre, retrospective cross-sectional study, aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of treatment and disease complications, capture disease management and identify predictors of complications in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia, treated in routine settings in Greece. Eligible patients were adults diagnosed with β-thalassaemia ≥12 months before enrolment and having received ≥6 red blood cell (RBC) units (excluding elective surgery) with no transfusion-free period ≥35 days in the 24 weeks before enrolment. Primary data were collected at a single visit and through chart review. Between Oct 21, 2019, and Jun 15, 2020, 201 eligible patients [median (interquartile range, IQR) age 45.7 (40.2-50.5) years; 75.6% > 40 years old; 64.2% female] were enrolled, a mean (standard deviation) of 42.9 (7.8) years after diagnosis. Median (IQR) age at diagnosis and RBC transfusion initiation were 0.8 (0.4-2.8) and 1.3 (1.0-5.0) years, respectively. From diagnosis to enrolment, patients had developed a median of six (range: 1-55) complications; 19.6% were grade ≥3. The most represented complications were endocrine/metabolic/nutrition disorders (91.5%), surgical/medical procedures (67.7%) and blood/lymphatic system disorders (64.7%). Real-world data generated by ULYSSES underscore the substantial complication burden of transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia patients, routinely managed in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Kattamis
- First Department of PediatricsThalassemia UnitNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Ersi Voskaridou
- Expertise Center in Rare Haematological Diseases‐HaemoglobinopathiesGeneral Hospital of Athens “Laikon”AthensGreece
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell UnitGeneral Hospital of Athens “Hippocrateion”AthensGreece
| | - Evangelos Klironomos
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell UnitGeneral Hospital of Heraklion “Venizelion”HeraklionGreece
| | - Ioannis Lafiatis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell UnitGeneral Hospital of Mytilene “Vostanio”MytileneGreece
| | - Foteini Petropoulou
- Thalassemia UnitGeneral Hospital of Athens “Georgios Gennimatas”AthensGreece
| | - Michael D. Diamantidis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease UnitGeneral Hospital of Larissa “Koutlimbaneio & Triantafylleio”LarissaGreece
| | - Stylianos Lafioniatis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell UnitGeneral Hospital of Volos “Achilopouleio,”VolosGreece
| | - Loukia Evliati
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell UnitGeneral Hospital of Athens “Evaggelismos”AthensGreece
| | - Eleni Kapsali
- Department of HematologyUniversity Hospital of IoanninaIoanninaGreece
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexandra Kourakli
- Department of Internal MedicineHematology DivisionUniversity General Hospital of PatrasPatrasGreece
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19
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Origa R. Hepatitis C and Thalassemia: A Story with (Almost) a Happy Ending. Pathogens 2023; 12:683. [PMID: 37242353 PMCID: PMC10223616 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Donor screening has nearly eliminated the risk of hepatitis C virus post-transfusion transmission in resource-rich settings. Moreover, the use of direct antiviral agents made it possible to treat the majority of patients with thalassemia and hepatitis C. However, this achievement, while extremely significant, does not erase the effects of the virus in terms of fibrogenesis and mutagenic risk, and adult patients with thalassemia are facing the long-term consequences of the chronic infection both on the liver and extrahepatically. As in the general population, it is in mainly patients with cirrhosis who are increasing in age, even though they are now HCV RNA-negative, who are at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, which continues to be statistically much more frequent in individuals with than without thalassemia. In certain resource-limited settings, the World Health Organization has estimated that up to 25 percent of blood donations do not undergo screening. It is therefore not surprising that hepatitis virus infection is still the most prevalent in patients with thalassemia worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Origa
- Ospedale Pediatrico Microcitemico, Via Jenner Sn, 09121 Cagliari, Italy;
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato Strada Provinciale 8, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
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20
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Soteriades S, Angastiniotis M, Farmakis D, Eleftheriou A, Maggio A. The Need for Translational Epidemiology in Beta Thalassemia Syndromes: A Thalassemia International Federation Perspective. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2023; 37:261-272. [PMID: 36907602 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiology is the practical tool to provide information on which policy makers should base planning of services. Epidemiological data for thalassemia is based on inaccurate and often conflicting measurements. This study attempts to demonstrate with examples the sources of inaccuracy and confusion. The Thalassemia International Foundation (TIF) suggests that congenital disorders, for which increasing complications and premature death are avoidable through appropriate treatment and follow-up, should be given priority based on accurate data and patient registries. Moreover, only accurate information about this issue, especially for developing countries, will move national health resources in the right direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soterios Soteriades
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Aurelio Maggio
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOR Villa Sofia-V, Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
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21
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Bou-Fakhredin R, Motta I, Cappellini MD, Taher AT. Clinical Complications and Their Management. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2023; 37:365-378. [PMID: 36907609 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of disease-related complications among patients with β-thalassemia is complicated by the wide spectrum of genotypes and clinical risk factors. The authors herein present the different complications seen in patients with β-thalassemia, the pathophysiology underlying these complications and their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Bou-Fakhredin
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Motta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ali T Taher
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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22
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Vitrano A, Musallam KM, Meloni A, Karimi M, Daar S, Ricchi P, Costantini S, Vlachaki E, Di Marco V, El-Beshlawy A, Hajipour M, Ansari SH, Filosa A, Ceci A, Singer ST, Naserullah ZA, Pepe A, Cademartiri F, Pollina SA, Scondotto S, Dardanoni G, Bonifazi F, Sankaran VG, Vichinsky E, Taher AT, Maggio A. Development of a Thalassemia International Prognostic Scoring System (TIPSS). Blood Cells Mol Dis 2023; 99:102710. [PMID: 36463683 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2022.102710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A prognostic scoring system that can differentiate β-thalassemia patients based on mortality risk is lacking. We analysed data from 3145 β-thalassemia patients followed through a retrospective cohort design for the outcome of death. An a priori list of prognostic variables was collected. β Coefficients from a multivariate cox regression model were used from a development dataset (n = 2516) to construct a formula for a Thalassemia International Prognostic Scoring System (TIPSS) which was subsequently applied to a validation dataset (n = 629). The median duration of observation was 10.0 years. The TIPSS score formula was constructed as exp (1.4 × heart disease + 0.9 × liver disease + 0.9 × diabetes + 0.9 × sepsis + 0.6 × alanine aminotransferase ≥42 IU/L + 0.6 × hemoglobin ≤9 g/dL + 0.4 × serum ferritin ≥1850 ng/mL). TIPSS score thresholds of greatest differentiation were assigned as <2.0 (low-risk), 2.0 to <5.0 (intermediate-risk), and ≥5.0 (high-risk). The TIPSS score was a good predictor for the outcome of death in the validation dataset (AUC: 0.722, 95%CI: 0.641-0.804) and survival was significantly different between patients in the three risk categories (P < 0.001). Compared to low-risk patients, the hazard ratio for death was 2.778 (95%CI: 1.335-5.780) in patients with intermediate-risk and 6.431 (95%CI: 3.151-13.128) in patients with high-risk. This study provides a novel tool to support mortality risk categorization for patients with β-thalassemia that could help management and research decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Vitrano
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | - Khaled M Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mehran Karimi
- Haematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shahina Daar
- Department of Haematology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Thalassaemia Unit, Ippokratio University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vito Di Marco
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Amal El-Beshlawy
- Department of Pediatric Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Hajipour
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Aldo Filosa
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Ceci
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Sylvia Titi Singer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Fedele Bonifazi
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Vijay G Sankaran
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aurelio Maggio
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
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23
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TIF Standards for Haemoglobinopathy Reference Centres. THALASSEMIA REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep13010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemoglobin disorders are hereditary, lifelong and characterised by the need for multifaceted management. The question of quality in meeting standards of care that are likely to bring the best possible outcomes for patients is a necessary consideration. The concept of reference centres supporting peripheral treatment centres in a formal networking relationship is a response to the real needs of patients and a practical solution in public health terms. In this report, a team of advisors of Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) attempts to suggest a set of standards for haemoglobinopathy reference centres, also based on the founding principles of TIF, aiming to act as a guideline for its member associations and professional collaborators. The standards described herein can form the basis of an accreditation process and also serve as a guide for those who would advocate for quality improvement for thalassaemia services.
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24
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The Outcomes of Patients with Haemoglobin Disorders in Cyprus: A Joined Report of the Thalassaemia International Federation and the Nicosia and Paphos Thalassaemia Centres (State Health Services Organisation). THALASSEMIA REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep12040019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemoglobinopathies, including thalassaemias and sickle-cell syndromes, are demanding, lifelong conditions that pose a significant burden to patients, families, and healthcare systems. Despite the therapeutic advances and the resulting improvements in prognosis accomplished in past decades, these patients still face important challenges, including suboptimal access to quality care in areas with developing economies, changing epidemiology due to massive migration flows, an evolving clinical spectrum due to ageing in well-treated patients, and limited access to novel high-cost therapies. We herein describe the organization of healthcare services for haemoglobinopathies in Cyprus—with particular focus on beta-thalassaemia, the most prevalent condition in this region—along with selected patient outcomes. This report aims at underscoring the fact that nationally funded and well-coordinated prevention and care programmes for chronic and complex conditions, such as haemoglobinopathies, with active involvement from patient organizations lead to effective disease control and excellent outcomes in survival, quality of life, social adaptation, and public health savings, and allow timely and effective responses to emerging crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cyprus paradigm could therefore serve as a blueprint for the organization or adaptation of haemoglobinopathy programs in other countries since these disorders are still widely occurring.
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25
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Abstract
Thalassaemia is a diverse group of genetic disorders with a worldwide distribution affecting globin chain synthesis. The pathogenesis of thalassaemia lies in the unbalanced globin chain production, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis, increased haemolysis, and deranged iron homoeostasis. The clinical phenotype shows heterogeneity, ranging from close to normal without complications to severe requiring lifelong transfusion support. Conservative treatment with transfusion and iron chelation has transformed the natural history of thalassaemia major into a chronic disease with a prolonged life expectancy, albeit with co-morbidities and substantial disease burden. Curative therapy with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is advocated for suitable patients. The understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease is guiding therapeutic advances. Novel agents have shown efficacy in improving anaemia and transfusion burden, and initial results from gene therapy approaches are promising. Despite scientific developments, worldwide inequality in the access of health resources is a major concern, because most patients live in underserved areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, First Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Janet L Kwiatkowski
- Division of Haematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Paediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yesim Aydinok
- Department of Paediatric Heamatology and Oncology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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26
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Patsourakos D, Aggeli C, Gatzoulis KA, Delicou S, Dimitroglou Y, Xydaki K, Fragodimitri C, Androulakis A, Tsioufis K. Left atrial deformation indices in β-thalassemia major patients. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:1473-1483. [PMID: 35460387 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04842-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The presence of atrial cardiomyopathy in β-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients complicates their clinical condition. The diagnosis is challenging even with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Novel echocardiographic techniques are applied to increase the diagnostic yield. Fifty-six β-TM patients and thirty age and sex-matched controls were included in the present cross-sectional study. Heart rate, PR duration, and P axis were measured by electrocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e'), left atrial volume index (LAVI), left atrial strain at reservoir (LASr), conduit (LAScd) and contraction (LASct) phases respectively, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) by echocardiography, and T2* calculation in patient group by CMR. PR duration, LVEF, LAVI, E/e', GLS, and left atrial deformation parameters differed between patients and controls (p <0.05). In patient group, left atrial strain was correlated with PR duration, LAVI, E/e', GLS, and T2* (p <0.05). T2* was correlated only with left atrial deformation indices (p <0.05). Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation were older, had lower heart rate, prolonged PR, increased E/e' and LAVI, and impaired left atrial strain (p <0.05). LASct differed relative to the presence of atrial fibrillation and myocardial iron overload. Atrial strain could be of clinical use in the early detection of atrial cardiomyopathy. An impaired LASct could identify β-TM patients with undetected episodes of atrial fibrillation. Finally, left atrial strain may be helpful in myocardial iron load estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Patsourakos
- First Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Attica, Athens, Greece.
| | - Constantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos A Gatzoulis
- First Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Yannis Dimitroglou
- First Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Xydaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Fragodimitri
- Thalassemia Unit, Agia Sophia Children's Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamantopoulou Str., 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Aristeidis Androulakis
- State Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11527, Attica, Athens, Greece
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27
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Constantinou V, Papayanni PG, Mallouri D, Batsis I, Bouinta A, Papadopoulou D, Papadimitriou V, Kammenou M, Pantelidou D, Sotiropoulos D, Sakellari I, Anagnostopoulos A, Yannaki E. Case study of betibeglogene autotemcel gene therapy in an adult Greek patient with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia of a severe genotype. Br J Haematol 2021; 196:1401-1404. [PMID: 34957544 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Varnavas Constantinou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Penelope-Georgia Papayanni
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despina Mallouri
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Batsis
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Asimina Bouinta
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despoina Papadopoulou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Papadimitriou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Kammenou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Damianos Sotiropoulos
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna Sakellari
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Achilles Anagnostopoulos
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center of the Hematology Department/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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28
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The Influence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Hypogonadism on Cardiac Outcomes in an Aging Population of Beta-Thalassemia Patients. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 9:jcdd9010003. [PMID: 35050213 PMCID: PMC8781644 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-thalassemia major (β-TM) is a hereditary genetic disease worsened by many comorbidities due to transfusion-related iron despite chelation therapy. Since there has recently been an increase in life expectancy of patients to up to 50 years old, which influences the prevalence of these diseases and the time span for traditional cardiovascular risk factors to play their role, this study aims to evaluate their distribution and prevalence in a population of thalassemia major patients and their relationship with observed cardiovascular events and potential modifying factors. One hundred and fifty-nine β-TM patients with at least 15 years of follow-up were included in this study. The mean age was 40.9 ± 8.4 years; 28% had diabetes mellitus and 62% had hypogonadism. The cardiovascular risk assessed using algorithms (CUORE and Pooled Cohort Risk Equation—PCRE) was low, but 3.8% of patients had at least one episode of heart failure, 35.9% showed early signs of heart failure, 22% received a diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction, and 21.4% showed supraventricular arrhythmias. Hypogonadism was shown to be related to the occurrence of cardiovascular events. The chronic accumulation of iron in the heart and the specific metabolic profile, mainly observed in patients with hypogonadism, allows us to define β-TM as a condition with a high level of cardiovascular risk from many points of view (iron-related myopathy, atherosclerosis and arrhythmias), which requires better stratification tools and a specific follow-up program.
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29
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Musallam KM, Bou‐Fakhredin R, Cappellini MD, Taher AT. 2021 update on clinical trials in β-thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2021; 96:1518-1531. [PMID: 34347889 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The treatment landscape for patients with β-thalassemia is witnessing a swift evolution, yet several unmet needs continue to persist. Patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) primarily rely on regular transfusion and iron chelation therapy, which can be associated with considerable treatment burden and cost. Patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT) are also at risk of significant morbidity due to the underlying anemia and iron overload, but treatment options in this patient subgroup are limited. In this review, we provide updates on clinical trials of novel therapies targeting the underlying pathology in β-thalassemia, including the α/non-α-globin chain imbalance, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M. Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
- International Network of Hematology London UK
| | - Rayan Bou‐Fakhredin
- Department of Internal Medicine American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community University of Milan, Ca’ Granda Foundation IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Milan Italy
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
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Kountouris P, Michailidou K, Christou S, Hadjigavriel M, Sitarou M, Kolnagou A, Kleanthous M, Telfer P. Effect of HBB genotype on survival in a cohort of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients in Cyprus. Haematologica 2021; 106:2458-2468. [PMID: 32732363 PMCID: PMC8409026 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.260224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Initiation of regular transfusion in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) is based on the assessment of clinical phenotype. Pathogenic HBB variants causing β-thalassemia are important determinants of phenotype and could be used to aid decision-making. We investigated the association of HBB genotype with survival in a cohort study in the four thalassemia centers in Cyprus. HBB genotype was classified as severe (β0/β0 or β+/β0), moderate (β+/β+), or mild (β0/β++ or β+/β++). Risk factors for mortality were evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional- hazards regression. Of the 537 subjects who were followed for a total of 20,963 person-years, 80.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 76.4-84.7) survived to 50 years of age with increasing rates of liver-, infectionand malignancy-related deaths observed during recent follow-up. We evaluated non-modifiable risk factors and found worse outcomes associated with male sex (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.0, P=0.01) and milder genotype (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3, P=0.02). The effect of genotype was confirmed in a second model, which included treatment effects. Patients with a milder genotype initiated transfusion significantly later and had reduced blood requirements compared to those with moderate or severe genotypes, although pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels did not differ between genotypes. Our results suggest that early treatment decisions to delay transfusion and different long-term treatment strategies in individuals with milder genotypes have led to adverse longterm effects of under-treated thalassemia and worse survival. We propose that HBB genotype determination and use of this information to aid in decision-making can improve long-term outcomes of thalassemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Kountouris
- Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kyriaki Michailidou
- Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Maria Sitarou
- Thalassemia Centre, Larnaca General Hospital, Larnaca, Cyprus
| | - Anita Kolnagou
- Thalassemia Centre, Paphos General Hospital, Paphos, Cyprus
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Paul Telfer
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
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Tsolakidis V, Vlachaki E, Papaioannou M, Pantelidou D, Diamantidis M, Eleftheriou P, Kouvelas D, Pourzitaki C. Total Annual Economic Burden of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Steady State in Greece. Hemoglobin 2021; 45:143-149. [PMID: 34334096 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2021.1954944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease includes a group of congenital hemolytic anemias, all characterized by the predominance of Hb S (HBB: c.20A>T). The population movement due to economic migration or escape from conflict zones will further affect the health systems of countries by either increasing the number of patients or forcing countries to create care units for sickle cell disease patients. This will probably also increase the incidence of the disease in areas where their incidence and prevalence were previously low. In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate the total annual cost of the treatment of sickle cell disease in Greece. This was the first attempt to calculate the total annual cost of treating sickle cell disease patients in a steady state. The annual cost of sickle cell disease was estimated to be €21,152,340.00 (US$25,219,300.41), without calculating the cost of hospitalization for severe complications. Since 2013, in Greece, a pharmaceutical expenditure limit (decreasing with the years) has been budgeted at €1,945,000,000.00 (US$2,318,965,150.00), annually. It is therefore calculated that approximately 1.0% of the budget allocated to pharmaceutical spending is used to treat patients with sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Tsolakidis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Medical Sciences Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Maria Papaioannou
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Michael Diamantidis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios Kouvelas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Medical Sciences Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Pourzitaki
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Medical Sciences Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Kamperidis V, Vlachou M, Pappa Z, Pantelidou D, Karamitsos T, Papadopoulou D, Kartas A, Boutou A, Ventoulis I, Vlachaki E, Giannakoulas G, Karvounis H. Prediction of long-term survival in patients with transfusion-dependent hemoglobinopathies: Insights from cardiac imaging and ferritin. Hellenic J Cardiol 2021; 62:429-438. [PMID: 33524617 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The current study evaluated the association of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and ferritin data with 10-year survival in thalassemia patients. METHODS Demographics, ferritin, echocardiography, and CMR parameters of stable consecutive thalassemia patients were prospectively collected. RESULTS In total, 75 patients (mean age 37 ± 11 years, 45% male) with thalassemia were included and dichotomized based on their survival status after a median follow-up period of 10.3 [9.6-10.9] years. Older age (HR: 1.071, p = 0.001), ferritin ≥2000 ng/ml (HR: 4.682, p = 0.007) and ≥1700 ng/ml (HR: 7.817, p = 0.002), elevated LV end-diastolic pressure (HR: 1.019, p = 0.044), TR Vmax >2.8 m/s (HR: 6.845, p = 0.005), and CMR T2∗ ≤20 msec (HR: 3.602, p = 0.043) and ≤34 msec (HR: 5.854, p = 0.026) were associated with increased all-cause mortality (primary endpoint). A baseline model including age was created and became more predictive of worse survival by adding TR Vmax >2.8 m/s instead of elevated LV end-diastolic pressure (C index 0.767 vs. 0.760, respectively), ferritin ≥1700 ng/ml instead of ≥2000 ng/ml (C index 0.890 vs. 0.807, respectively), or CMR T2∗≤34 msec instead of ≤20 msec (C index 0.845 vs. 0.839, respectively). Parameters associated with the combined endpoint of cardiac mortality/cardiac hospitalization (secondary endpoint) after adjusting for age were ferritin ≥1700 ng/ml (HR 3.770, p = 0.014), ratio E/A wave >2 (HR 3.565, p = 0.04), TR Vmax >2.8 m/s (HR 4.541, p = 0.049), CMR T2∗ ≤20 ms (HR 9.462, p = 0.001), and CMR T2∗ ≤34 ms (HR 11.735, p = 0.002). The model including age and T2∗ ≤34 ms instead of T2∗ ≤20 ms was more predictive of the secondary endpoint (C-index 0.844 vs 0.838, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In thalassemia patients, TR Vmax >2.8 m/s, ferritin ≥2000 ng/ml, and CMR T2∗ ≤20 ms were associated with worse long-term survival. In the current era of advanced chelation therapy, aiming for ferritin ≤1700 ng/ml and CMR T2∗ ≥34 ms may improve their prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Kamperidis
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Maria Vlachou
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Zoi Pappa
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Theodoros Karamitsos
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Anastasios Kartas
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Afroditi Boutou
- Pulmonary Department, Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Ventoulis
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Thalassaemia Unit, Ippokratio University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Giannakoulas
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Haralambos Karvounis
- 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Angastiniotis M, Petrou M, Loukopoulos D, Modell B, Farmakis D, Englezos P, Eleftheriou A. The Prevention of Thalassemia Revisited: A Historical and Ethical Perspective by the Thalassemia International Federation. Hemoglobin 2021; 45:5-12. [PMID: 33461349 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2021.1872612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies are the most common monogenic disorders in humans; among them, thalassemia constitutes a serious medical and public health problem in high prevalence regions, in a geographical zone ranging from the Mediterranean Basin to China. In addition, migrations over the years have introduced thalassemia to many parts of the world. Although disease-specific programs are in place and accessible to most patients in prosperous countries, this is not the case in developing economies, where more than 75.0% of the patient population is born and lives; this concerns both prevention and treatment programs. In view of the significant improvements in public health and healthcare systems over the past few years, the Thalassemia International Federation has revisited the thalassemia prevention programs, initiatives and policies in some of its member countries, discussing their effectiveness and whether any changes in policy or public attitudes to thalassemia prevention have occurred through the recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Petrou
- Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dimitrios Loukopoulos
- National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens Medical School and Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Bernadette Modell
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Genetics, Centre for Health Informatics and Multiprofessional Education (CHIME), University College London, London, UK
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Patsourakos D, Gatzoulis KA, Aggeli C, Delicou S, Dimitroglou Y, Xydaki K, Toutouzas K, Androulakis A, Tousoulis D. Twelve-lead and signal-averaged electrocardiographic parameters among beta-thalassemia major patients. J Arrhythm 2020; 36:920-928. [PMID: 33024470 PMCID: PMC7532271 DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of beta thalassemia major (β-TM) patients suffer from cardiac disease, while a significant proportion of them die suddenly. Twelve-lead and signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) are simple, inexpensive, readily available tools for identifying an unfavorable arrhythmiological substrate by detecting the presence of arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and late potentials (LPs) in these patients. METHODS A total of 47 β-TM patients and 30 healthy controls were submitted to 12-lead and signal-averaged electrocardiography. Basic electrocardiographic parameters and prevalence of LPs were recorded. Basic echocardiographic parameters were estimated by transthoracic echocardiography. T2* was calculated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging wherever available. RESULTS β-TM patients demonstrated a more prolonged PR interval (167.74 msec vs 147.07 msec) (P = .043), a higher prevalence of PR prolongation (21.05% vs 0%) (P = .013), and a higher prevalence of LPs (18/47, 38.3% vs 2/30, 6.7%) (P = .002) compared with controls. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation among b-TM patients was estimated at 10.64%. Patients had also greater E/e' ratio (8.35, SD = 2.2 vs 7, SD = 2.07) (P = .012) and LAVI (30.7 mL/m2, SD = 8.76 vs 24.6 mL/m2, SD = 6.57) (P = .002) than controls. Regression analysis showed that QTc and LAVI could correctly predict the presence of LPs in the 80.9% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS β-TM patients have a higher prevalence of a prolonged PR interval, atrial fibrillation, and LPs. Twelve-lead and SAECG performance was feasible in all subjects and constitutes a readily available tool for assessing myocardial electrophysiological alterations in this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantinos A Gatzoulis
- First Department of Cardiology General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Constantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio Athens Greece
| | - Yannis Dimitroglou
- First Department of Cardiology General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Katerina Xydaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio Athens Greece
| | - Konstantinos Toutouzas
- First Department of Cardiology General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios Tousoulis
- First Department of Cardiology General Hospital of Athens Ippokrateio, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
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Kattamis A, Forni GL, Aydinok Y, Viprakasit V. Changing patterns in the epidemiology of β-thalassemia. Eur J Haematol 2020; 105:692-703. [PMID: 32886826 PMCID: PMC7692954 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
β‐thalassemia major is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that requires lifelong red blood cell transfusions and iron chelation therapy to prevent complications due to iron overload. Traditionally, β‐thalassemia has been more common in certain regions of the world such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. However, the prevalence of β‐thalassemia is increasing in other regions, including Northern Europe and North America, primarily due to migration. This review summarizes the available data on the changing incidence and prevalence of β‐thalassemia as well as factors influencing disease frequency. The data suggest that the epidemiology of β‐thalassemia is changing: Migration has increased the prevalence of the disease in regions traditionally believed to have a low prevalence, while, at the same time, prevention and screening programs in endemic regions have reduced the number of affected individuals. Various approaches to prevention and screening have been used. Region‐specific prevention and treatment programs, customized to align with local healthcare resources and cultural values, have been effective in identifying patients and carriers and providing information and care. Significant challenges remain in universally implementing these programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Kattamis
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gian Luca Forni
- Centro della Microcitemia e Anemie Congenite e del Dismetabolismo del Ferro, Ospedale Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Yesim Aydinok
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Ege University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Department of Pediatrics & Thalassemia Center, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Bardón Cancho EJ, García-Morín M, Beléndez C, Velasco P, Benéitez D, Ruiz-Llobet A, Berrueco R, Argilés B, Cervera Á, Salinas JA, Vecilla C, Gondra A, Vallés G, Murciano T, Bermúdez M, Cela E. Update of the Spanish registry of haemoglobinopathies in children and adults. Med Clin (Barc) 2020; 155:95-103. [PMID: 32113697 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Patients with thalassaemia major (TM) and sickle cell disease (SCD) in Spain have been counted since the creation of the Spanish registry of haemoglobinopathies (REHem). The objective of this paper is to update the published data after the increase in cases due to the inclusion of adults and introduction of new-born screening in almost the whole country. MATERIAL AND METHODS An observational, descriptive, multicentre and ambispective study that included patients with haemoglobinopathies registered in the REHem, started in January 2014 and followed up annually. The data presented correspond until December 31, 2017. RESULTS Nine hundred and fifty-nine patients were collected. There were 75 cases of thalassaemia (62 TM), 826 of ECF and 58 of other types of haemoglobinopathies. The main diagnostic reason in the TM cohort was anaemia symptoms (70.6%), with a mean age at diagnosis of .7 years; in the SCD cohort it was neonatal screening (33.1%), with a mean age at diagnosis of 2.7 years; 26 patients with TM (41.9%) and 30 with SCD (3.6%) underwent a transplant. There were 2 deaths (3.2%) with TM and 19 (2.3%) with SCD. Overall survival was 96.7% in the TM and 97.5% in the SCD cases at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS Since the previous publication and after the diffusion of new-born screening, the most frequent diagnostic method, to the majority of autonomous regions, and the inclusion of adult patients to the registry, the REHem has increased by more than 240 cases, reaching a total of 959 records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo J Bardón Cancho
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España
| | - Marina García-Morín
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
| | - Cristina Beléndez
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Instituto Nacional de Investigación Biomédica en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España
| | - Pablo Velasco
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - David Benéitez
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Anna Ruiz-Llobet
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital San Joan de Déu de Barcelona (IRP-HSJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Rubén Berrueco
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital San Joan de Déu de Barcelona (IRP-HSJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Bienvenida Argilés
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - Áurea Cervera
- Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Móstoles, Móstoles, Madrid, España
| | - José Antonio Salinas
- Servicio de Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares, España
| | - Cruz Vecilla
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España
| | - Ainhoa Gondra
- Sección de Hematología Infantil, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Basurto (OSI Bilbao-Basurto), Bilbao, Vizcaya, España
| | - Griselda Vallés
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, Hospital de Mataró, Mataró, Barcelona, España
| | - Thais Murciano
- Servicio de Pediatría, Corporació Sanitària Parc Tauli, Parc del Tauli, Sabadell, Barcelona, España
| | - Mar Bermúdez
- Servicio de Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia, España
| | - Elena Cela
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Instituto Nacional de Investigación Biomédica en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España
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Stabouli S, Antza C, Papadopoulou E, Teli A, Kotsis V, Economou M. Unmasking hypertension in children and adolescents with sickle/beta-thalassemia. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2020; 22:1444-1449. [PMID: 32762124 DOI: 10.1111/jch.13957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, although blood pressure (BP) levels have been reported to be lower in SCD patients compared to general population. Aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of BP phenotypes and levels of arterial stiffness in pediatric patients with SCD and to assess the differences with children at risk for hypertension. We included in the study 16 pediatric SCD (HbS/β-thalassemia, S/β-thal) patients and 16 consecutive children at risk for hypertension referred to our hypertension clinic that served as high-risk controls. All patients underwent ambulatory BP monitoring and measurement of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). S/β-thal patients had lower office systolic BP than the high-risk control group (115.43 ± 10.03 vs 123.37 ± 11.92, P = .05) but presented similar levels of day and night ambulatory BP. Office hypertension was found in 12.5% of the S/β-thal patients and in 43.8% of the high-risk controls (P = .06), while 18.8% of the S/β-thal patients and 25% of the high-risk controls presented hypertension by ambulatory BP levels (P = .21). All of the S/β-thal patients with ambulatory hypertension had night hypertension (one combined night and day hypertension) with office normotension (masked hypertension). S/β-thal patients and high-risk controls presented equal prevalence of masked hypertension (18.8%). Children and adolescents with S/β-thal present similar prevalence of BP phenotypes and levels of PWV with children at risk for hypertension. A significant number of children and adolescents with S/β-thal may have masked nighttime hypertension despite normal office BP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Stabouli
- 1st Pediatric Department, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hippocratio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christina Antza
- Hypertension-24h ABPM ESH Center of Excellence, 3rd Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Papadopoulou
- 1st Pediatric Department, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hippocratio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Teli
- 1st Pediatric Department, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hippocratio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasilios Kotsis
- Hypertension-24h ABPM ESH Center of Excellence, 3rd Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Marina Economou
- 1st Pediatric Department, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Hippocratio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Mohd Ibrahim H, Muda Z, Othman IS, Mohamed Unni MN, Teh KH, Thevarajah A, Gunasagaran K, Ong GB, Yeoh SL, Muhammad Rivai A, Che Mohd Razali CH, Din ND, Abdul Latiff Z, Jamal R, Mohamad N, Mohd Ariffin H, Alias H. Observational study on the current status of thalassaemia in Malaysia: a report from the Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037974. [PMID: 32601117 PMCID: PMC7328811 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thalassaemia is the most common inherited blood disorder in Malaysia. This study aims to report the current status of thalassaemia in Malaysia and provide a comprehensive understanding of the disease through data obtained from the Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry. DESIGN Data were extracted from the Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry, a web-based system accessible to enrolled users through www.mytalasemia.net.my. SETTING The Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry data was recorded from reports obtained from 110 participating government and university hospitals in Malaysia. PARTICIPANTS The patients were those attending the 110 participating hospitals for thalassaemia treatment. INTERVENTION Data were collected from the Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry from 2007 until the fourth quarter of 2018. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE 7984 out of 8681 patients with thalassaemia registered in the Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry were reported alive. RESULTS Majority of the patients were reported in the state of Sabah (22.72%); the largest age group affected was 5.0-24.9 years old (64.45%); the largest ethnic group involved was Malay (63.95%); and the major diagnosis was haemoglobin E/β-thalassaemia (34.37%). From the 7984 patients, 56.73% were on regular blood transfusions and 61.72% were on chelation therapy. A small fraction (14.23%) has undergone splenectomy, while the percentage of patients with severe iron overload (serum ferritin ≥5000 µg/L) reduced over time. However, cardiac complications are still the main cause of death in patients with thalassaemia. CONCLUSION Data gathered into the registry can be used to understand the progression of the disorder, to monitor iron overload management and to improve the outcomes of treatment, to enhance preventive strategies, reduce healthcare burden and improve the quality of life. Sustainability of the Malaysian Thalassaemia Registry is important for surveillance of thalassaemia management in the country and help the national health authorities to develop more effective policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim
- Division for Research and Technical Support, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zulaiha Muda
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ida Shahnaz Othman
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohamed Najib Mohamed Unni
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok Hoi Teh
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Asohan Thevarajah
- Department of Paediatrics, Sabah Women & Children Hospital, Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Kogilavani Gunasagaran
- Department of Paediatrics, Sabah Women & Children Hospital, Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Gek Bee Ong
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Umum Sarawak, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Seoh Leng Yeoh
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Nazzlin Dizana Din
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Zarina Abdul Latiff
- Department of Paediatrics, UKM Medical Centre, The National University of Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rahman Jamal
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norsarwany Mohamad
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Hany Mohd Ariffin
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hamidah Alias
- Department of Paediatrics, UKM Medical Centre, The National University of Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Dimitroglou Y, Anagnostopoulos F, Aggeli C, Delicou S, Xydaki A, Patsourakos D, Tousoulis D. Severity of heart failure and health-related quality of life in beta-thalassemia patients: a cross-sectional study. Ann Hematol 2020; 99:2037-2046. [PMID: 32436014 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-04032-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular complications account for a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality in beta-thalassemia patients. Many patients have structural heart disease, and some of them present with symptomatic heart failure (HF). Quality of life (QOL) of beta-thalassemia patients is lower than that of the general population. The aim of our study was to explore the relationship between HF stages and QOL in beta-thalassemia patients. Seventy-three consecutive adult beta-thalassemia patients took part in this cross-sectional study. Stages of HF, classified with increasing severity as A, B, and C, were determined based on ACC/AHA guidelines. QOL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Fifteen patients had stage C HF, twenty-eight had stage B HF, and the remaining were considered stage A patients, as beta thalassemia is a predisposing factor for HF. All QOL domains except for bodily pain were significantly lower in stage C patients than in stage A patients. Stage C patients had significantly lower QOL scores for physical functioning, role physical, and social functioning domains than stage B patients. Stage B patients' QOL differed from stage A patients only in the vitality domain. In the multiple regression analysis which took several demographic and clinical factors into account, stage of HF was the most important factor associated with QOL, and negatively and significantly related to five QOL domains, namely physical functioning, role physical, general health, social functioning, and vitality. In conclusion, QOL is negatively affected by the severity of heart failure in beta-thalassemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannis Dimitroglou
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. .,School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece. .,, Palaio Faliro, 175 64, Athens, Greece.
| | - Fotios Anagnostopoulos
- School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece.,Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Kallithea, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Xydaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Patsourakos
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tousoulis
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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40
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Farmakis D, Giakoumis A, Angastiniotis M, Eleftheriou A. The changing epidemiology of the ageing thalassaemia populations: A position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. Eur J Haematol 2020; 105:16-23. [PMID: 32198891 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic advances in β-thalassaemia have gradually lead to a significant improvement in prognosis over the past few decades. As a result, patients living in areas where disease-specific programmes offering access to modern therapy are in place experience a new era of prolonged survival that tends to reach that of the normal population. This ageing thalassaemia population, however, faces a new spectrum of comorbidities resulting from increasing age that may jeopardise the advances in prognosis provided by current therapy and thus poses new challenges in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. In this position paper of the Thalassaemia International Federation, we review the changing epidemiology and clinical spectrum of patients with β-thalassaemia and propose actions to be undertaken in order to address the emerging spectrum of comorbidities resulting from ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Farmakis
- University of Cyprus Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus and Heart Failure Unit, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.,Thalassaemia International Federation, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Hodroj MH, Bou-Fakhredin R, Nour-Eldine W, Noureldine HA, Noureldine MHA, Taher AT. Thalassemia and malignancy: An emerging concern? Blood Rev 2019; 37:100585. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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42
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Tavares AHJ, Benites BD, Fertrin KY. Myocardial Iron Overload in Sickle Cell Disease: A Rare But Potentially Fatal Complication of Transfusion. Transfus Med Rev 2019; 33:170-175. [PMID: 31153715 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a frequent indication for chronic transfusion, which can cause iron overload. Excess iron often affects the liver, but not the heart in SCD. Magnetic resonance (MR) is recommended to detect myocardial iron overload (MIO) but its elevated cost requires optimized indication. We aimed to compile all published data on MIO in SCD upon the description of a fatal case of severe MIO in our institution, and to determine associated risk factors. We performed a systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines in two databases (PubMed and Web of Science). Inclusion criteria were publication in English, patients diagnosed with SCD, and reporting ferritin and MIO by MR. Twenty publications reported on 865 SCD adult and pediatric patients, with at least 10 other cases of MIO. The prevalence of MIO in chronically transfused SCD patients can be estimated to be 3% or less, and is associated with high transfusion burden, top-up transfusions, and low adherence to iron chelation. Cardiac siderosis in SCD is rarely reported, and increased awareness with better use of the available screening tools are necessary. Prospective studies should define the recommended chelation regimens depending on the severity of MIO.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kleber Yotsumoto Fertrin
- Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil; Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
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43
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Zioga A, Thanopoulou E, Hatzi E, Chaliasos N, Georgiou I, Makis A. Rare Association of Hb D-Los Angeles (HBB: c.364G>C) with Hb H Disease: Diagnosis and Clinical Implications. Hemoglobin 2019; 42:336-338. [PMID: 30626242 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2018.1558066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Hb D-Los Angeles (or Hb D-Punjab) (HBB: c.364G > C) is found worldwide and is derived from a point mutation in the β-globin gene prevalent in the Punjab region of Northwestern India. Heterozygous or homozygous inheritance does not cause significant medical problems, whereas association with other hemoglobinopathies, especially β-thalassemia (β-thal) and sickle cell disease, changes the phenotype. Coinheritance of Hb D-Los Angeles with Hb H disease (α-/- -) has never been reported before. The presence of this rare combination in a family of Greek origin is herein described, and the challenges involving clinical management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Zioga
- a Child Health Department, Faculty of Medicine , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
| | - Eleni Thanopoulou
- b Genetics and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
| | - Elissavet Hatzi
- b Genetics and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
| | - Nikolaos Chaliasos
- a Child Health Department, Faculty of Medicine , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- b Genetics and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
| | - Alexandros Makis
- a Child Health Department, Faculty of Medicine , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
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