title: Cost-utility of chelators in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major patients: a review of the pharmacoeconomic literature.
abstract: In the inherited hematologic disorder β-thalassemia major, patients receive regular, lifelong blood transfusions, which carry excess iron that the body is unable to eliminate. Chelation therapy (deferoxamine, deferiprone, deferasirox or deferoxamine-deferiprone combination) is required to reduce iron accumulation in target organs and the associated morbidity and mortality. Each chelation regimen has a distinct safety/efficacy profile and particular costs associated with its use. This review aims to provide an overview of published cost-utility analyses of currently used chelation regimens, and to comment on the potential relevance of their findings in the USA market, where deferiprone has recently been introduced.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, RM164 MC886, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: von Riedemann
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tricta
mesh_terms: D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018803:Models, Economic; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents
keywords: cost-utility; deferasirox; deferiprone; deferoxamine; iron chelation; thalassemia major