title: Combined chelation therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone in β-thalassemia major: compliance and opinions of young thalassemic patients.
abstract: Treatment of β-thalassemia major (β-TM) includes regular blood transfusions and iron chelation with subcutaneous injection of deferoxamine (DFO). During the last decade, a new chelation agent, deferiprone (L1), was introduced. The purpose of our study was to determine the level of awareness/education regarding chelation therapy, the degree of compliance to this therapy and their views of L1 in patients with β-TM. A relevant questionnaire was administered to 36 patients (12-26 years old) who were on combination chelation therapy with both DFO and L1. The majority of patients was well aware/educated about chelation therapy (76.6%), was compliant with this therapy (74.4%) and had a positive view towards oral chelation (86.0%). In conclusion, most patients with β-TM who were on combination chelation therapy with DFO and L1 were satisfied with this treatment and this results in high compliance rates.
authors.affiliation: Thalassaemia Unit, First Paediatric Department of Aristotle University, Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Emmanuel S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Hatzipantelis
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karasmanis
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perifanis
authors.forename: Efthimia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vlachaki
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tziomalos
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Economou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015913:Chelation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011639:Public Opinion; D011728:Pyridones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D011728:Pyridones; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine