Splenectomy for β-Thalassemia Major in Resource Challenged Settings: Often a Hobson's Choice!

Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with β-Thalassemia after Splenectomy

Few data are available on the efficacy and safety of splenectomy in patients with transfusion-dependent Beta-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) and on its impact on a patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We examined the long-term HRQoL of adult patients with β-TM in comparison with those treated with medical therapy by using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). We also evaluated the safety and efficacy of splenectomy. Overall, 114 patients with a median age of 41 years (range 18–62) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Twenty-nine patients underwent splenectomy (25.4%) at a median age of 12 years (range 1–32). The median follow-up after splenectomy was 42 years (range 6–55). No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the scales of the SF-36 between splenectomized and not-splenectomized patients. The majority of surgical procedures (96.6%) were approached with open splenectomy. Post-splenectomy complications were reported in eight patients (27.5%): four overwhelming infections, three with pulmonary hypertension, and one with thrombosis. A significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities (58.6 vs. 21.2%, p < 0.001) and diabetes (17.2 vs. 3.5%, p = 0.013) was observed in splenectomized patients. These patients, however, required fewer red blood cell units per month, with only 27.6% of them transfusing more than 1 unit per month, compared with 72.9% of the not-splenectomized group. Overall, our data suggest that physicians should carefully consider splenectomy as a possible treatment option in patients with β-TM.

Survival and complications in patients with haemoglobin E thalassaemia in Sri Lanka: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia is the most common genotype of severe β-thalassaemia. The paucity of long-term data for this form of thalassaemia makes evidence-based management challenging. We did a long-term observational study to define factors associated with survival and complications in patients with haemoglobin E thalassaemia.

METHODS

In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study, we included all patients with haemoglobin E thalassaemia who attended the National Thalassaemia Centre in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, between Jan 1, 1997, and Dec 31, 2001. Patients were assessed up to three times a year. Approaches to blood transfusions, splenectomy, and chelation therapy shifted during this period. Survival rates between groups were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival function estimate curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify risk factors for mortality.

FINDINGS

109 patients (54 [50%] male; 55 [50%] female) were recruited and followed up for a median of 18 years (IQR 14-20). Median age at recruitment was 13 years (range 8-21). 32 (29%) patients died during follow-up. Median survival in all patients was 49 years (95% CI 45-not reached). Median survival was worse among male patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2·51, 95% CI 1·16-5·43), patients with a history of serious infections (adjusted HR 8·49, 2·90-24·84), and those with higher estimated body iron burdens as estimated by serum ferritin concentration (adjusted HR 1·03, 1·01-1·06 per 100 units). Splenectomy, while not associated with statistically significant increases in the risks of death or serious infections, ultimately did not eliminate a requirement for scheduled transfusions in 42 (58%) of 73 patients. Haemoglobin concentration less than or equal to 4·5 g/dL (vs concentration >4·5 g/dL), serum ferritin concentration more than 1300 μg/L (vs concentration ≤1300 μg/L), and liver iron concentration more than 5 mg/g dry weight of liver (vs concentration ≤5 mg/g) were associated with poorer survival.

INTERPRETATION

Patients with haemoglobin E thalassaemia often had complications and shortened survival compared with that reported in high-resource countries for thalassaemia major and for thalassaemia intermedia not involving an allele for haemoglobin E. Approaches to management in this disorder remain uncertain and prospective studies should evaluate if altered transfusion regimens, with improved control of body iron, can improve survival.

FUNDING

Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, US March of Dimes, Anthony Cerami and Ann Dunne Foundation for World Health, and Hemoglobal.

Thalassemia: Common Clinical Queries in Management

Beta thalassemia major (TM) is the most frequent form of transfusion-dependent inherited anemia in India. The thalassemia syndromes exhibit enormous variability in their genetic basis and phenotypic expression. The authors recommend that the diagnosis of TM or non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) should not be based on a one-time assessment. Many patients have a chronic anemia that is not severe enough to justify regular transfusions, but the clinical course can evolve with age. Continued observation may reveal that some patients who are considered NTDT will benefit from transfusions later in life. Clinical decision making can be influenced by the perceived difficulty in access to a safe blood supply and the cost of therapy. Here, authors present selected case scenarios that address common issues in the management of TM or NTDT. The recommendations are based on published evidence where available or on the authors' shared experience. Among the topics under discussion are deciding when to start regular transfusions, the role of hydroxyurea in TM, the procedure for blood administration, the use of deferasirox for chelation and monitoring of side effects, the role of splenectomy, and the prospects for gene therapy. In order to achieve an optimal outcome with blood transfusions and chelation therapy over the lifetime, it is essential to adhere to the current guidelines for the management of thalassemia.