IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN GREECE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THALASSEMIA PATIENTS
(Abstract release date: 05/21/15)
EHA Library. Teli A. 06/12/15; 102947; PB1974
Disclosure(s): Aristotle University of ThessalonikiFirst Pediatrics
Aikaterini Teli
Contributions
Contributions
Abstract
Abstract: PB1974
Type: Publication Only
Background
Economic crisis has had a major impact on public health in Greece during the last 5 years, negatively affecting both ability for health insurance coverage and availability of medical and laboratory services. As all patients suffering from chronic illnesses, thalassemia patients have had to live with and try to overcome relevant difficulties.
Aims
Purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of economic crisis on management of thalassemia patients for the 5 year crisis period (January 2010 - December 2014) in a single pediatric institution.
Methods
A total of 17 multi-transfused pediatric patients participated in the study. Patient data assessed included annual heart and liver MRI T2* measurements, transfusion frequency, chelation therapy, as well as mean annual pre-transfusional hemoglobin and ferritin level. Changes in family working status of the patients as well as in insurance coverage ability were recorded.
Results
Mean study population age was 10.5 years (range 6.5-18 years), with a baseline mean pre-transfusional hemoglobin of 9.5g/dl, a mean ferritn value of 1380ng/ml, a mean heart Τ2* of 32m (20-58ms) and a mean liver T2* of 7.4ms (3.1 - 26ms). No significant change in pre-transfusional hemoglobin was recorded during the study period, as all patients continued their regular transfusion program. All patients continued chelation therapy during follow-up. Changes in chelation therapy during study period were only based on medical criteria and were not related to economic issues. With regards to ferritin levels, 13/17 patients showed an improvement, with an overall statistically significant improvement in the mean value at the end of study. As to iron concentration, 15/17 patients improved their liver measurements and 2/17 remained stable. Out of 17 patients, 8 improved their heart measurements, 2 remained stable and 8 showed decrease in heart values – however, in only one case did the measurement reach an abnormal value, consistent with mild heart siderosis. With regards to insurance ability, 3/17 patients lost coverage due to parents' unemployment, but Social Security provided free services, enabling patients to continue regular transfusions and chelation treatment.
Summary
Keyword(s): Beta thalassemia, Children, Health care
Session topic: Publication Only
Type: Publication Only
Background
Economic crisis has had a major impact on public health in Greece during the last 5 years, negatively affecting both ability for health insurance coverage and availability of medical and laboratory services. As all patients suffering from chronic illnesses, thalassemia patients have had to live with and try to overcome relevant difficulties.
Aims
Purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of economic crisis on management of thalassemia patients for the 5 year crisis period (January 2010 - December 2014) in a single pediatric institution.
Methods
A total of 17 multi-transfused pediatric patients participated in the study. Patient data assessed included annual heart and liver MRI T2* measurements, transfusion frequency, chelation therapy, as well as mean annual pre-transfusional hemoglobin and ferritin level. Changes in family working status of the patients as well as in insurance coverage ability were recorded.
Results
Mean study population age was 10.5 years (range 6.5-18 years), with a baseline mean pre-transfusional hemoglobin of 9.5g/dl, a mean ferritn value of 1380ng/ml, a mean heart Τ2* of 32m (20-58ms) and a mean liver T2* of 7.4ms (3.1 - 26ms). No significant change in pre-transfusional hemoglobin was recorded during the study period, as all patients continued their regular transfusion program. All patients continued chelation therapy during follow-up. Changes in chelation therapy during study period were only based on medical criteria and were not related to economic issues. With regards to ferritin levels, 13/17 patients showed an improvement, with an overall statistically significant improvement in the mean value at the end of study. As to iron concentration, 15/17 patients improved their liver measurements and 2/17 remained stable. Out of 17 patients, 8 improved their heart measurements, 2 remained stable and 8 showed decrease in heart values – however, in only one case did the measurement reach an abnormal value, consistent with mild heart siderosis. With regards to insurance ability, 3/17 patients lost coverage due to parents' unemployment, but Social Security provided free services, enabling patients to continue regular transfusions and chelation treatment.
Summary
Although Greece has seriously suffered during the last years because of the economic crisis, provision for health has managed to survive - at least for patients suffering from chronic illnesses, such as thalassemia.
Keyword(s): Beta thalassemia, Children, Health care
Session topic: Publication Only
Abstract: PB1974
Type: Publication Only
Background
Economic crisis has had a major impact on public health in Greece during the last 5 years, negatively affecting both ability for health insurance coverage and availability of medical and laboratory services. As all patients suffering from chronic illnesses, thalassemia patients have had to live with and try to overcome relevant difficulties.
Aims
Purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of economic crisis on management of thalassemia patients for the 5 year crisis period (January 2010 - December 2014) in a single pediatric institution.
Methods
A total of 17 multi-transfused pediatric patients participated in the study. Patient data assessed included annual heart and liver MRI T2* measurements, transfusion frequency, chelation therapy, as well as mean annual pre-transfusional hemoglobin and ferritin level. Changes in family working status of the patients as well as in insurance coverage ability were recorded.
Results
Mean study population age was 10.5 years (range 6.5-18 years), with a baseline mean pre-transfusional hemoglobin of 9.5g/dl, a mean ferritn value of 1380ng/ml, a mean heart Τ2* of 32m (20-58ms) and a mean liver T2* of 7.4ms (3.1 - 26ms). No significant change in pre-transfusional hemoglobin was recorded during the study period, as all patients continued their regular transfusion program. All patients continued chelation therapy during follow-up. Changes in chelation therapy during study period were only based on medical criteria and were not related to economic issues. With regards to ferritin levels, 13/17 patients showed an improvement, with an overall statistically significant improvement in the mean value at the end of study. As to iron concentration, 15/17 patients improved their liver measurements and 2/17 remained stable. Out of 17 patients, 8 improved their heart measurements, 2 remained stable and 8 showed decrease in heart values – however, in only one case did the measurement reach an abnormal value, consistent with mild heart siderosis. With regards to insurance ability, 3/17 patients lost coverage due to parents' unemployment, but Social Security provided free services, enabling patients to continue regular transfusions and chelation treatment.
Summary
Keyword(s): Beta thalassemia, Children, Health care
Session topic: Publication Only
Type: Publication Only
Background
Economic crisis has had a major impact on public health in Greece during the last 5 years, negatively affecting both ability for health insurance coverage and availability of medical and laboratory services. As all patients suffering from chronic illnesses, thalassemia patients have had to live with and try to overcome relevant difficulties.
Aims
Purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of economic crisis on management of thalassemia patients for the 5 year crisis period (January 2010 - December 2014) in a single pediatric institution.
Methods
A total of 17 multi-transfused pediatric patients participated in the study. Patient data assessed included annual heart and liver MRI T2* measurements, transfusion frequency, chelation therapy, as well as mean annual pre-transfusional hemoglobin and ferritin level. Changes in family working status of the patients as well as in insurance coverage ability were recorded.
Results
Mean study population age was 10.5 years (range 6.5-18 years), with a baseline mean pre-transfusional hemoglobin of 9.5g/dl, a mean ferritn value of 1380ng/ml, a mean heart Τ2* of 32m (20-58ms) and a mean liver T2* of 7.4ms (3.1 - 26ms). No significant change in pre-transfusional hemoglobin was recorded during the study period, as all patients continued their regular transfusion program. All patients continued chelation therapy during follow-up. Changes in chelation therapy during study period were only based on medical criteria and were not related to economic issues. With regards to ferritin levels, 13/17 patients showed an improvement, with an overall statistically significant improvement in the mean value at the end of study. As to iron concentration, 15/17 patients improved their liver measurements and 2/17 remained stable. Out of 17 patients, 8 improved their heart measurements, 2 remained stable and 8 showed decrease in heart values – however, in only one case did the measurement reach an abnormal value, consistent with mild heart siderosis. With regards to insurance ability, 3/17 patients lost coverage due to parents' unemployment, but Social Security provided free services, enabling patients to continue regular transfusions and chelation treatment.
Summary
Although Greece has seriously suffered during the last years because of the economic crisis, provision for health has managed to survive - at least for patients suffering from chronic illnesses, such as thalassemia.
Keyword(s): Beta thalassemia, Children, Health care
Session topic: Publication Only
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