Compliance and satisfaction with deferasirox (Exjade®) compared with deferoxamine in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.
OBJECTIVE
The current standard option for iron chelation therapy (ICT) in transfusion-dependent patients with beta-thalassemia is deferoxamine (DFO). We aimed to compare the compliance with DFO vs. deferasirox (Exjade®), a novel oral iron chelator, in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 220 patients from Southern Iran who were receiving DFO or Exjade® for the last 2 years were investigated in 2012. Satisfaction, compliance, convenience, and life disturbances of the patients with ICT were evaluated. Assessments were performed at four different occasions during 1 year.


RESULTS
According to the results, 114 patients received treatment with DFO and 106 patients were treated with Exjade®. In comparison with the patients who were treated with DFO, those receiving Exjade® reported a significantly higher rate of compliance and convenience (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding their satisfaction (P > 0.05). In the DFO group, 44.9% of the patients reported irritation and pain at the injection site.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering higher rate of compliance and convenience with Exjade® and the comparable efficacy of these two modalities of ICT documented in previous studies, Exjade® can be used as a preferable choice of ICT in iron-overload patients with beta-thalassemia.
Sezaneh
S
Haghpanah
Tahereh
T
Zarei
Zohreh
Z
Zahedi
Mehran
M
Karimi
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001565:Benzoates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000077588:Deferasirox; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy
D001565:Benzoates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D014230:Triazoles; D003676:Deferoxamine; D000077588:Deferasirox
Beta-thalassemia; Compliance; Convenience; Iron chelation therapy; Satisfaction