Treating iron overload in patients with non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassemia |
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| Authors: | Ali T Taher Vip Viprakasit Khaled M Musallam M Domenica Cappellini |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, , Beirut, Lebanon;2. Department of Pediatrics and Siriraj‐Thalassemia Center, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, , Bangkok, Thailand;3. Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Universitá di Milano, , Milan, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Despite receiving no or only occasional blood transfusions, patients with non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassemia (NTDT) have increased intestinal iron absorption and can accumulate iron to levels comparable with transfusion‐dependent patients. This iron accumulation occurs more slowly in NTDT patients compared to transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients, and complications do not arise until later in life. It remains crucial for these patients' health to monitor and appropriately treat their iron burden. Based on recent data, including a randomized clinical trial on iron chelation in NTDT, a simple iron chelation treatment algorithm is presented to assist physicians with monitoring iron burden and initiating chelation therapy in this group of patients. Am. J. Hematol. 88:409–415, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
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