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Anuruksuwan P, Sirilert S, Luewan S, Tongsong T. Impacts of β-thalassemia/hemoglobin E disease on pregnancy outcomes. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024. [PMID: 38234105 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare obstetric outcomes between women with β-thalassemia/hemoglobin E (β-thal/HbE) disease and those of low-risk pregnancies, and also between the two subgroups, β-thal0 /HbE and β-thal+ /HbE disease. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was undertaken on pregnant women with β-thal/HbE disease and low-risk pregnancies, which were randomly selected with a case-to-control ratio of 1:10. RESULTS Pregnancies with β-thal/HbE disease were identified in 0.19% of 59 152 pregnancies, including 104 women in the study group and 1040 women in the control group. The mean gestational age and mean birth weight were significantly lower in the study group. The prevalence of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth and low birth weight were significantly increased in the study group based on both univariate and multivariate analysis. The impacts were more striking in the β-thal0 /HbE subgroup than in the β-thal+ /HbE subgroup. The cesarean rate was significantly higher in the study group. No maternal death or serious complication was found in this cohort. CONCLUSION Based on this cohort, the largest ever published, β-thal/HbE disease is significantly associated with increased incidence of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth and low birth weight. The impacts were more pronounced in the β-thal0 /HbE subgroup. Pregnancy may be relatively safer for women with β-thal/HbE disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puntira Anuruksuwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sirinart Sirilert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Suchaya Luewan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Theera Tongsong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Wendt AS, Brintrup J, Waid JL, Kader A, Lambrecht NJ, Gabrysch S. Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy prevalence in a community-based sample in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:192. [PMID: 37468973 PMCID: PMC10355052 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02821-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inherited blood disorders affect 7% of the population worldwide, with higher prevalences in countries in the "thalassemia belt," which includes Bangladesh. Clinical management options for severely affected individuals are expensive; thus, targeted government policies are needed to support prevention and treatment programs. In Bangladesh, there is a lack of data, in particular community-based estimates, to determine population prevalence. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of a wide range of hemoglobinopathies and their associations with anemia in a community-based sample of women and young children in rural Sylhet, Bangladesh. METHODS Capillary blood samples from 900 reproductive-aged women and 395 children (aged 6-37 months) participating in the Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition (FAARM) trial in two sub-districts of Habiganj, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh were analyzed for alpha thalassemia, beta thalassemia, and other hemoglobinopathies. We examined the association of each inherited blood disorder with hemoglobin concentration and anemia using linear and logistic regression. RESULTS We identified at least one inherited blood disorder in 11% of women and 10% of children. Alpha thalassemia was most prevalent, identified in 7% of women and 5% of children, followed by beta thalassemia and hemoglobin E in 2-3%. We also identified cases of hemoglobin S and hemoglobin D in this population. Having any of the identified inherited blood disorders was associated with lower hemoglobin values among non-pregnant women, largely driven by alpha and beta thalassemia. Pregnant women with beta thalassemia were also more likely to have lower hemoglobin concentrations. Among children, we found weak evidence for a relationship between hemoglobinopathy and lower hemoglobin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS We found a high prevalence of alpha thalassemia among both women and children in rural Sylhet, Bangladesh-higher than all other identified hemoglobinopathies combined. Community-based estimates of alpha thalassemia prevalence in Bangladesh are scarce, yet our findings suggest that alpha thalassemia may comprise the majority of inherited blood disorders in some regions of the country. We recommend that future research on inherited blood disorders in Bangladesh include estimates of alpha thalassemia in their reporting for public health awareness and to facilitate couples counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda S Wendt
- Research Department 2, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany.
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Joaquin Brintrup
- Hemoglobin Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jillian L Waid
- Research Department 2, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Bangladesh Country Office, Helen Keller International, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdul Kader
- Bangladesh Country Office, Helen Keller International, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nathalie J Lambrecht
- Research Department 2, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Gabrysch
- Research Department 2, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Amarasinghe GS, Agampodi TC, Mendis V, Agampodi SB. The geo-spatial perspective of biological, social and environmental determinants of early pregnancy anaemia in rural Sri Lanka: Need for context-specific approaches on prevention. GEOSPATIAL HEALTH 2022; 17. [PMID: 36468596 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2022.1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We provide a novel approach to understanding the multiple causations of maternal anaemia in a geospatial context, highlighting how genetics, environment and socioeconomic disparities at the micro-geographical level lead to the inequitable distribution of anaemia. All first-trimester pregnant women registered for the antenatal care programme in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka from July to September 2019 were invited to the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo), which assessed the prevalence of anaemia in early pregnancy. The combination of the prevalence of anaemia and minor haemoglobinopathy-related anaemia (MHA) with the poverty headcount index of the 22 health divisions in the district was investigated using GeoDa spatial K-means clustering. Sociodemographic and economic data at the divisional level were compared between identified clusters. Combining the analysis with the geographical and environmental characteristics of the region, further hypotheses regarding anaemia in this community were formulated. The study included data from 3,137 pregnant women in early pregnancy. The anaemia and MHA prevalence varied from 13.6 to 21.7% and from 2.6% to 5%, respectively. We identified four distinct spatial clusters. The cluster with the highest anaemia prevalence also included high poverty and the highest prevalence of MHA. The clusters had significant differences with regard to ethnic distribution, access to water, sanitation and dietary patterns. Areas supplied by major irrigation projects had significantly low levels of anaemia, probably attributable to internal migration and improved livelihood. It was evident that genetic, socioeconomic and environmental risk factors were grouped at the divisional level, and that their complex interactions make controlling anaemia with blanket interventions unsuccessful. Analysis of the distribution of heterogeneous risk factors at the micro-geospatial level helped identify context-specific approaches to tackle anaemia in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayani Shashikala Amarasinghe
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura.
| | - Thilini Chanchala Agampodi
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura.
| | - Vasana Mendis
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura.
| | - Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura.
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Redesigning New Policy Options for Thalassemia Prevention in Sri Lanka. THALASSEMIA REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep12040018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sri Lanka, a country with 22 million people, has nearly 2000 thalassemia patients with severe thalassemia, two-thirds of whom have beta thalassemia major (TM). The current prevention program based on promoting “safe marriages”, which has been in existence for over 15 years, has failed to reduce thalassemia major births. We set about to examine the cost-effectiveness of novel policy options for thalassemia prevention in Sri Lanka. Methods: The current cost for treatment of a thalassemia major patient (USD 2602/yr) was compared against the cost per reduction of single birth with three novel strategies, namely intensifying the screening in the current five districts combined with an education program (policy option 1), a nationwide screening program (policy option 2), and antenatal screening combined with the termination of pregnancy (policy option 3). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the different strategies was calculated. Results: The status quo was considered to reduce one TM birth whilst the new policy options were able to reduce births by 14, 35, and 48, respectively. The costs incurred for the program for a year for status quo and the three novel programs were USD 104,788, 173,884, 781,372, and 904,186 respectively. Cost per prevention of a thalassemia major birth was USD 87,324, 12,420, 22,324, and 20,084, respectively. The lifetime cost per treatment of a thalassemia major patient was USD 34,653. Conclusions: Given the current legal restriction on termination of pregnancy for fetal indications, policy option 2, an island-wide screening with mass education, is the most cost-effective and will be expected to deliver a substantial reduction in new births.
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Amarasingha AADS, Silva HJRL, Perera PS, Premawardhena AP. Anemia in Sri Lanka: A Literature Review. Hemoglobin 2022; 46:214-224. [PMID: 36000556 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2022.2096460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Anemia is a global health problem. This paper reviews literature on the prevalence of anemia in Sri Lanka. We searched EBSCO (Elton Bryson Stephens Company), Cochrane Library, and Medline for articles on prevalence and molecular basis of anemia in Sri Lanka from January 2000 to May 2021. Forty articles were selected. Most of the studies were on prevalence of anemia among children and pregnant women. All the studies had restricted themselves to assess the contributing factors for anemia in limited age categories. Most articles had attempted to determine the overall prevalence of anemia and the contribution of iron deficiency to it. There were only a few studies on prevalence and molecular basis of hemoglobinopathies and even fewer on the prevalence of anemia of chronic disease. None of the studies had attempted to assess the national prevalence of red cell membranopathies and enzymopathies. The published data on prevalence of anemia in Sri Lanka are incomplete. This review emphasizes the value of a much broader survey on anemia covering all age categories including the elderly and conducting a national survey including anemia of chronic disease and on red cell membranopathies and enzymopathies in Sri Lanka.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Dinusha S Amarasingha
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | - H J Ruwindi L Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - P Shiromi Perera
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Anuja P Premawardhena
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
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Halim-Fikri BH, Lederer CW, Baig AA, Mat-Ghani SNA, Syed-Hassan SNRK, Yusof W, Abdul Rashid D, Azman NF, Fucharoen S, Panigoro R, Silao CLT, Viprakasit V, Jalil N, Mohd Yasin N, Bahar R, Selvaratnam V, Mohamad N, Nik Hassan NN, Esa E, Krause A, Robinson H, Hasler J, Stephanou C, Raja-Sabudin RZA, Elion J, El-Kamah G, Coviello D, Yusoff N, Abdul Latiff Z, Arnold C, Burn J, Kountouris P, Kleanthous M, Ramesar R, Zilfalil BA. Global Globin Network Consensus Paper: Classification and Stratified Roadmaps for Improved Thalassaemia Care and Prevention in 32 Countries. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12040552. [PMID: 35455667 PMCID: PMC9032232 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12040552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Global Globin Network (GGN) is a project-wide initiative of the Human Variome/Global Variome Project (HVP) focusing on haemoglobinopathies to build the capacity for genomic diagnosis, clinical services, and research in low- and middle-income countries. At present, there is no framework to evaluate the improvement of care, treatment, and prevention of thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies globally, despite thalassaemia being one of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. Here, we propose a universally applicable system for evaluating and grouping countries based on qualitative indicators according to the quality of care, treatment, and prevention of haemoglobinopathies. We also apply this system to GGN countries as proof of principle. To this end, qualitative indicators were extracted from the IthaMaps database of the ITHANET portal, which allowed four groups of countries (A, B, C, and D) to be defined based on major qualitative indicators, supported by minor qualitative indicators for countries with limited resource settings and by the overall haemoglobinopathy carrier frequency for the target countries of immigration. The proposed rubrics and accumulative scores will help analyse the performance and improvement of care, treatment, and prevention of haemoglobinopathies in the GGN and beyond. Our proposed criteria complement future data collection from GGN countries to help monitor the quality of services for haemoglobinopathies, provide ongoing estimates for services and epidemiology in GGN countries, and note the contribution of the GGN to a local and global reduction of disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Hashim Halim-Fikri
- Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project Secretariat, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (B.H.H.-F.); (S.-N.R.-K.S.-H.); (W.Y.)
| | - Carsten W. Lederer
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (C.W.L.); (C.S.); (P.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Atif Amin Baig
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu 20400, Terengganu, Malaysia;
| | - Siti Nor Assyuhada Mat-Ghani
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (S.N.A.M.-G.); (N.N.N.H.)
| | - Sharifah-Nany Rahayu-Karmilla Syed-Hassan
- Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project Secretariat, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (B.H.H.-F.); (S.-N.R.-K.S.-H.); (W.Y.)
| | - Wardah Yusof
- Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project Secretariat, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (B.H.H.-F.); (S.-N.R.-K.S.-H.); (W.Y.)
| | - Diana Abdul Rashid
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (D.A.R.); (N.F.A.); (N.M.)
| | - Nurul Fatihah Azman
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (D.A.R.); (N.F.A.); (N.M.)
| | - Suthat Fucharoen
- Thalassemia Research Centre, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhom Pathom 73170, Thailand;
| | - Ramdan Panigoro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical Genetics Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 40161, Indonesia;
| | - Catherine Lynn T. Silao
- Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines, Manila 1000, Philippines;
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Manila 1000, Philippines
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Department of Paediatrics & Thalassaemia Centre, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Norunaluwar Jalil
- UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
| | - Norafiza Mohd Yasin
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Bandar Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (N.M.Y.); (E.E.)
| | - Rosnah Bahar
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;
| | - Veena Selvaratnam
- Hospital Ampang, Jalan Mewah Utara, Taman Pandan Mewah, Ampang Jaya 68000, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Norsarwany Mohamad
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (D.A.R.); (N.F.A.); (N.M.)
| | - Nik Norliza Nik Hassan
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (S.N.A.M.-G.); (N.N.N.H.)
| | - Ezalia Esa
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Bandar Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (N.M.Y.); (E.E.)
| | - Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of the Witwatersrand, Watkins Pitchford Building, NHLS Braamfontein, Cnr Hospital and De Korte St, Hillbrow, P.O. Box 1038, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa;
| | - Helen Robinson
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, MDDHS, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Julia Hasler
- Global Variome, Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK;
| | - Coralea Stephanou
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (C.W.L.); (C.S.); (P.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Raja-Zahratul-Azma Raja-Sabudin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
| | - Jacques Elion
- Medical School, Université Paris Diderot, 75018 Paris, France;
| | - Ghada El-Kamah
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt;
| | - Domenico Coviello
- Laboratorio di Genetica Umana, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Largo Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Narazah Yusoff
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas 13200, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia;
| | - Zarina Abdul Latiff
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
| | - Chris Arnold
- BioGrid Australia, Hodgson Associates, 4 Hodgson St., Kew, Melbourne, VIC 3101, Australia;
| | - John Burn
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, International Centre for Life Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK;
| | - Petros Kountouris
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (C.W.L.); (C.S.); (P.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (C.W.L.); (C.S.); (P.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Raj Ramesar
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town City of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Bin Alwi Zilfalil
- Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +60-9767-6531
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Healthcare resource utilization and direct costs of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: a retrospective cost-of-illness study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:304. [PMID: 35248046 PMCID: PMC8897869 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) require lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Thus, patients afflicted with TDT often have to undergo blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy, which causes a major economic burden on them. However, this topic has not been reported in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hence, this study aimed to evaluate healthcare resource utilization and associated direct costs related to patients with TDT in Dubai, UAE. Methods For this study, a retrospective prevalence-based cost-of-illness analysis based on the UAE healthcare system and patient perspectives was conducted among patients with TDT treated at the Dubai Thalassemia Center in 2019. Information regarding healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs was collected from the billing system connected to the electronic medical record system. Patients and their families were interviewed for direct non-medical cost estimations. Results A total of 255 patients with TDT were included in the study. The mean annual direct medical cost was estimated at AED 131,156 (USD 35,713) (95% CI: 124,735 – 137,578). The main driver of the medical cost for the participants as iron chelation therapy AED 78,372 (95% CI: 72,671 – 84,074) (59.8%), followed by blood transfusions, which accounted for AED 34,223 (95% CI: 32,854 – 35,593) 26.1% of the total direct medical costs. The mean annual direct non-medical costs was AED 2,223 (USD 605) (95% CI: 1,946 – 2,500). Age (p < 0.001), severe serum ferritin levels (p = 0.016), the presence of complications (p < 0.001), and the type of iron chelation therapy (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of higher direct medical costs incurred by the participants. Conclusion Transfusion-dependent thalassemia poses a substantial economic burden on the healthcare system, patients, and their families. Our results show that the highest medical cost proportion was due to iron chelation therapy. In this regard, efforts must be made to improve the patients’ acceptance and satisfaction with their iron chelation therapy to increase their compliance and improve the effectiveness of treatment, which could play an essential role in controlling the economic burden of this disease. Moreover, greater support is essential for families that suffer catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07663-6.
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Premawardhena AP, Ediriweera DS, Sabouhanian A, Allen A, Rees D, de Silva S, Perera W, Katugaha N, Arambepola M, Yamashita RC, Mettananda S, Jiffry N, Mehta V, Cader R, Bandara D, St Pierre T, Muraca G, Fisher C, Kirubarajan A, Khan S, Allen S, Lamabadusuriya SP, Weatherall DJ, Olivieri NF. Survival and complications in patients with haemoglobin E thalassaemia in Sri Lanka: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e134-e141. [PMID: 34843671 PMCID: PMC8672061 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00446-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Angela Allen
- Department of Molecular Haematology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Rees
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert C Yamashita
- Department of Hematology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Liberal Studies, California State University, San Marcos, CA, USA
| | - Sachith Mettananda
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Nilam Jiffry
- Sirimavo Bandaranayake Specialized Children's Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Refai Cader
- Policy Analysis and Development Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Timothy St Pierre
- Department of Physics, School of Physics, Mathematics, and Computing, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Giulia Muraca
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher Fisher
- Department of Molecular Haematology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Shawn Khan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Allen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - David J Weatherall
- Department of Molecular Haematology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Nancy F Olivieri
- Pediatrics, Medicine, and Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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9
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Premawardhena AP, Madushanka HDP. Thalassemia in Sri Lanka. Hemoglobin 2022; 46:71-73. [PMID: 35950586 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2022.2025826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The island nation of Sri Lanka with 22 million people (in 2020) has an estimated 2000 patients with severe thalassemia. The majority have β-thalassemia (β-thal) major (β-TM), and Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A)/β-thal accounts for most of the remainder. Carrier rate for α+-thalassemia (α+-thal) trait is 9.9% and β-thal trait is 2.5%, with very similar rates in the three major ethnic groups (Sinhalese, Tamils and Moors). The distribution of thalassemia type reveals a remarkable variation, even in this small island, mirroring historical distribution of malaria. Even though healthcare is provided free by the state including blood transfusions and chelation, the overall survival of patients of β-TM is still not on a par with that of the Mediterranean countries. A national thalassemia prevention program was set up in 2007, but overall success of the exercise based essentially on dissuasion of marriages is not very promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuja P Premawardhena
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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10
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Albagshi MH, Saad M, Aljassem AM, Bushehab AA, Ahmed NH, Alabbad MM, Omer N, Alhamad OA, Sultan TA, Bahgat S. Blood Demand and Challenges for Patients With Beta-Thalassemia Major in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2021; 13:e17470. [PMID: 34603865 PMCID: PMC8475924 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background β-thalassemia major is a hereditary disorder of hemoglobin (Hb) that results in defective Hb synthesis, leading to severe chronic anemia. The mainstay of its treatment is lifelong regular packed red cell transfusions associated with iron-chelating therapy. Globally, there is a gap between blood donation and the actual needs of the patients who depend on transfusion. Patients with β-thalassemia major are no exception and have limited access to regular and safe blood transfusions. This study aimed to assess the gap between the demand and supply of blood for transfusion-dependent patients with β-thalassemia major treated at the Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Methodology This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted at the Hereditary Blood Disease Center, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, including patient data from January 2017 to December 2019. We used Excel 365 from Microsoft Office 2016, version 1706. Results A total of 158 patients were on chronic transfusion. Of the total patients, 65% were adults, while the remaining 35% comprised the pediatric population. The total number of units requested and received during the three-year period was 14,509 and 9,530, respectively, indicating a gap of 4,979 (34%) units. The age of most of the units received was more than 14 days: 36% of those in 2017, 49.9% in 2018, and 61.5% in 2019. Rare blood groups and alloimmunization accounted for <8% of the patients. Prestorage filtration was the policy for all units. Conclusions There was a gap between the demand and supply of blood for patients with β-thalassemia major treated at our center. We suggest raising awareness regarding the high demands for fresh red blood cell components in patients with thalassemia major, encouraging voluntary blood donations, enhancing national blood-banking policies, and reducing the fragmentation of blood services to reduce the gap between demand and supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneer H Albagshi
- Pediatric Hematology, Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, SAU
| | - Mona Saad
- Internal Medicine/Hematology, Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, SAU
| | | | | | - Noura H Ahmed
- Pediatrics, Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, SAU
| | | | - Nawal Omer
- Internal Medicine, Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, SAU
| | - Osama A Alhamad
- Medical Affairs, Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, SAU
| | - Tarig A Sultan
- Integrative Medicine, Hereditary Blood Diseases Center, Al Ahsa, SAU
| | - Samy Bahgat
- Blood Bank, Maternity and Children Hospital, Al Ahsa, SAU
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11
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Chulasiri P, Ranaweera P, Sudarshan P, Jayasinghe M, Harishchandra J, Gunasekera K, Vitharana H, Silva P, Ringwald P, Fernandopulle R, Mendis K, Fernando D. Transfusion-induced Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a beta thalassaemia patient during the prevention of re-establishment phase in Sri Lanka. Malar J 2021; 20:352. [PMID: 34445999 PMCID: PMC8390059 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03881-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria was eliminated from Sri Lanka in 2012, and since then 50-60 imported malaria cases have been reported yearly. The country has remained malaria-free since, except for a single case of indigenous malaria in 2018. Blood donors are routinely screened for malaria, and transfusion malaria has not been reported in the country since 1966. CASE PRESENTATION A 17-year-old splenectomized beta thalassaemia patient developed a transfusion-induced Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection following a blood transfusion 18 days earlier. The blood donor was an armed forces personnel who returned from South Sudan following a United Nations peace-keeping mission. The blood recipient's malaria infection took a complicated clinical course with elevated liver enzymes, lowered blood pressure and a prolonged parasite clearance time of 7 days but he recovered fully after two courses of artemether-lumefantrine interrupted by a course of intravenous artesunate. The prolonged parasite clearance is likely due to lack of splenic clearance of dead or damaged intra-erythrocytic parasites (due to a splenectomy) rather than to the parasite strain being resistant to artemisinin or the partner drug. This is corroborated by the fact that the blood donor's infection responded to artemether-lumefantrine with parasites being cleared on day 3. The blood donor who had not displayed signs or symptoms of malaria, had been screened for malaria on arrival in Sri Lanka and was negative on both microscopy and RDT. At the point of blood donation a blood smear examined microscopically was also reported negative for malaria, but retrospectively, the preserved smear of the donor's blood was found to contain P. falciparum parasites at a very low density. The donor when tested after the transfusion-induced case was diagnosed, also tested positive for malaria and was treated. CONCLUSIONS After malaria elimination, transfusion-induced malaria from blood donors returning from malaria endemic countries poses a threat to preventing the re-establishment of the disease. Improved surveillance of arrivals in Sri Lanka from malaria endemic countries using more sensitive methods for screening than microscopy may be required to reduce this risk. More stringent criteria for selecting blood donors, and more effective methods of screening donors for malaria than microscopy may also be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pascal Ringwald
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rohini Fernandopulle
- Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka
| | - Kamini Mendis
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Deepika Fernando
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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12
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Shafie AA, Wong JHY, Ibrahim HM, Mohammed NS, Chhabra IK. Economic burden in the management of transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients in Malaysia from a societal perspective. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:157. [PMID: 33827621 PMCID: PMC8028190 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01791-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT) is a hereditary blood disorder in which blood transfusion is the mainstay treatment to prolong survival and improve quality of life. Patients with this disease require blood transfusion at more than 100 ml/kg annually and iron-chelating therapy (ICT) to prevent iron overload (IOL) complications. There are substantial numbers of TDT patients in Malaysia, but limited data are available regarding the economic burden associated with this disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the lifetime cost of TDT from a societal perspective and identify potential factors increasing patient and family expenditures among thalassaemia populations. METHODS The total lifetime cost per TDT patient (TC1) is the sum of lifetime healthcare cost (TC2) and lifetime patient and family healthcare expenditure (TC3). TC2 was simulated using the Markov model, taking into account all costs subsidized by the government, and TC3 was estimated through a cross-sectional health survey approach. A survey was performed using a two-stage sampling method in 13 thalassaemia centres covering all regions in Malaysia. RESULTS A TDT patient is expected to incur TC2 of USD 561,208. ICT was the main driver of cost and accounted for 56.9% of the total cost followed by blood transfusion cost at 13.1%. TC3 was estimated to be USD 45,458. Therefore, the estimated TC1 of a TDT patient was USD 606,665. Sensitivity analyses showed that if all patients were prescribed oral ICT deferasirox for their lifetime, the total healthcare cost would increase by approximately 65%. Frequency of visits to health facilities for blood transfusion/routine monitoring and patients who were prescribed desferrioxamine were observed to be factors affecting patient and family monthly expenses. CONCLUSION The lifetime cost per TDT patient was USD 606,665, and this result may be useful for national health allocation planning. An estimation of the economic burden will provide additional information to decision makers on implementing prevention interventions to reduce the number of new births and medical service reimbursement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asrul Akmal Shafie
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
| | - Jacqueline Hui Yi Wong
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.,Pharmacy Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim
- Division of Research and Technical Support, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Noor Syahireen Mohammed
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.,Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kedah Darul Aman, Alor Setar, Malaysia
| | - Irwinder Kaur Chhabra
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
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13
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Association of diverse population of red blood cells with different disease manifestations in patients with beta-thalassemia. Meta Gene 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2020.100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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14
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Klebsiella pneumoniae Multiple Liver Abscesses and Bacteremia in a Transfusion-dependent β Thalassemia Major Patient. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2020; 42:e497-e498. [PMID: 31259828 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000001541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
β thalassemia major is a common hemoglobinopathy in Sri Lanka. Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a Gram-negative capsulated organism responsible for various nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Transfusion-dependent splenectomized thalassemia patients are at risk of infections. Liver abscess is an infection to suspect in such patients, and, among the organisms, KP is an organism to watch out for. Furthermore, KP could cause multiple liver abscesses, which makes it difficult to treat, as it cannot be drained. We report a 16-year-old splenectomized transfusion-dependent thalassemia major patient who presented with multiple liver abscesses with KP bacteremia.
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15
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Reed-Embleton H, Arambepola S, Dixon S, Maldonado BN, Premawardhena A, Arambepola M, Khan JAM, Allen S. A cost-of-illness analysis of β-Thalassaemia major in children in Sri Lanka - experience from a tertiary level teaching hospital. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:257. [PMID: 32460774 PMCID: PMC7251920 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sri Lanka has a high prevalence of β-thalassaemia major. Clinical management is complex and long-term and includes regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy. The economic burden of β-thalassaemia for the Sri Lankan healthcare system and households is currently unknown. Methods A prevalence-based, cost-of-illness study was conducted on the Thalassaemia Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Kandy Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Data were collected from clinical records, consultations with the head of the blood bank and a consultant paediatrician directly involved with the care of patients, alongside structured interviews with families to gather data on the personal costs incurred such as those for travel. Results Thirty-four children aged 2–17 years with transfusion dependent thalassaemia major and their parent/guardian were included in the study. The total average cost per patient year to the hospital was $US 2601 of which $US 2092 were direct costs and $US 509 were overhead costs. Mean household expenditure was $US 206 per year with food and transport per transfusion ($US 7.57 and $US 4.26 respectively) being the highest cost items. Nine (26.5%) families experienced catastrophic levels of healthcare expenditure (> 10% of income) in the care of their affected child. The poorest households were the most likely to experience such levels of expenditure. Conclusions β-thalassaemia major poses a significant economic burden on health services and the families of affected children in Sri Lanka. Greater support is needed for the high proportion of families that suffer catastrophic out-of-pocket costs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Hemal's Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
| | | | | | - Stephen Allen
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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16
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Mustafa I, Firdous N, Shebl FM, Shi Z, Saeed M, Zahir Z, Zayed H. Genetic epidemiology of beta-thalassemia in the Maldives: 23 years of a beta-thalassemia screening program. Gene 2020; 741:144544. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Das R, Datta S, Kaviraj A, Sanyal SN, Nielsen P, Nielsen I, Sharma P, Sanyal T, Dey K, Saha S. A decision support scheme for beta thalassemia and HbE carrier screening. J Adv Res 2020; 24:183-190. [PMID: 32368356 PMCID: PMC7186556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The most effective way to combat β-thalassemias is to prevent the birth of children with thalassemia major. Therefore, a cost-effective screening method is essential to identify β-thalassemia traits (BTT) and differentiate normal individuals from carriers. We considered five hematological parameters to formulate two separate scoring mechanisms, one for BTT detection, and another for joint determination of hemoglobin E (HbE) trait and BTT by employing decision trees, Naïve Bayes classifier, and Artificial neural network frameworks on data collected from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. We validated both the scores on two different data sets and found 100% sensitivity of both the scores with their respective threshold values. The results revealed the specificity of the screening scores to be 79.25% and 91.74% for BTT and 58.62% and 78.03% for the joint score of HbE and BTT, respectively. A lower Youden’s index was measured for the two scores compared to some existing indices. Therefore, the proposed scores can obviate a large portion of the population from expensive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis during the screening of BTT, and joint determination of BTT and HbE, respectively, thereby saving significant resources and cost currently being utilized for screening purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Das
- Department of Hematology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Saikat Datta
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Anandaloke Hospital, Siliguri 734001, India
| | - Anilava Kaviraj
- Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India
| | - Soumendra Nath Sanyal
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, DK 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Peter Nielsen
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, DK 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Izabela Nielsen
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, DK 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Prashant Sharma
- Department of Hematology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Tanmay Sanyal
- Department of Zoology, Krishnagar Government College, Krishnagar 741101, India
| | - Kartick Dey
- Department of Mathematics, University of Engineering & Management, Kolkata 700160, India
| | - Subrata Saha
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, DK 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
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18
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Noor FA, Sultana N, Bhuyan GS, Islam MT, Hossain M, Sarker SK, Islam K, Khan WA, Rahman M, Qadri SK, Shekhar HU, Qadri F, Qadri SS, Mannoor K. Nationwide carrier detection and molecular characterization of β-thalassemia and hemoglobin E variants in Bangladeshi population. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:15. [PMID: 31941534 PMCID: PMC6961315 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-1294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ß-thalassemia is one of the most common inherited blood disorders in the world and a major deterrent to the public health of Bangladesh. The management of thalassemia patients requires lifelong frequent blood transfusion and the available treatment options are unsatisfactory. A national policy on thalassemia prevention is mandatory in Bangladesh. However, precise and up-to-date information on the frequency of ß-thalassemia carriers are missing due to lack of accurate diagnostic approaches, limited access to information and absence of national screening program. This study aims to determine the nationwide carrier frequency of hemoglobin E (HbE) and β- thalassemia and mutation spectrum among the carriers using molecular, hematological and biochemical methods. Methods The study enrolled a total of 1877 individuals (60.1% male and 39.9% female) aged between 18 and 35 years. Total sample size and its division-wise breakdown were calculated in proportion to national and division-wise population. Venous blood was collected and subjected to CBC analysis and Hb-electrophoresis for each participant. Serum ferritin was measured to detect coexistence of iron deficiency anemia with thalassemia carrier. DNA-based High Resolution Melting (HRM) curve analysis was performed for confirmation of carrier status by mutation detection. Results Of 11.89% (95% CI, 10.43–13.35) carriers of β-globin gene mutations, 8.68% (95% CI, 7.41–9.95) had HbE trait (ETT) and 2.24% (95% CI, 1.57–2.91) had beta-thalassemia trait (BTT). Among eight divisions, Rangpur had the highest carrier frequency of 27.1% (ETT-25%, BTT-2.1%), whereas Khulna had the lowest frequency of 4.2% (ETT-4.2% only). Moreover, α- thalassemia, HbD trait, HbE disease, hereditary persistence of HbF were detected in 0.11, 0.16, 0.43 and 0.16% participants, respectively. HRM could identify two individuals with reported pathogenic mutations in both alleles who were erroneously interpreted as carriers by hematological indices. Finally, a total of nine different mutations including a novel mutation (c.151A > G) were detected in the β-globin gene. Conclusions Since carrier frequency for both HbE and β-thalassemia is alarmingly high in Bangladesh, a nationwide awareness and prevention program should be made mandatory to halt the current deteriorating situations. Mutation-based confirmation is highly recommended for the inconclusive cases with conventional carrier screening methods to avoid any faulty detection of thalassemia carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farjana Akther Noor
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Shahbagh, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Nusrat Sultana
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.,Department of Virology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Shahbagh, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Golam Sarower Bhuyan
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md Tarikul Islam
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mohabbat Hossain
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Suprovath Kumar Sarker
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Khaleda Islam
- Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW, Government of Bangladesh, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Waqar Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Mujahida Rahman
- Department of Hematology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbagh, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Syeda Kashfi Qadri
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hossain Uddin Shekhar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Shahbagh, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Firdausi Qadri
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.,Department of Enteric and Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Syed Saleheen Qadri
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Kaiissar Mannoor
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
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19
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Perera S, Bonsall D, Niriella MA, Allen A, Peries AC, Nelumdeniya UB, Dissanayake R, Silva I, de Cesare M, Klenerman P, Weatherall DJ, Roberts DJ, Premawardhena AP. Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C: A cluster of cases in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients in Sri Lanka. Transfus Med 2020; 30:377-383. [PMID: 31916330 DOI: 10.1111/tme.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report the clinical and virologic epidemiology of a recent epidemic of hepatitis C in thalassaemia patients in Sri Lanka. BACKGROUND Transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients remain at risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Here, we report a cluster of recent HCV infections in Sri Lankan thalassaemia patients and examine the phylogenetic relationship of viral sequences. METHODS We conducted two prospective cross-sectional surveys of 513 patients in four Sri Lankan thalassaemia centres in 2014/2015 and re-surveyed one centre in 2016. We screened for anti-HCV antibodies using the CTK Biotech enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and confirmed active infection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for HCV-RNA. HCV genomes were sequenced by unbiased target enrichment. RESULTS Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 116/513 (22.6%) of patients initially tested. Active hepatitis C infection was found in 26 patients with no cases of active hepatitis B infection. Of 26 patients with HCV, two were infected with genotype 1(a), and the rest had 3(a). In a single centre (Ragama), 122 patients (120 new cases and two previously tested, but negative) were retested for anti-HCV antibodies. 32/122 (26.2%) patients were seropositive. Twenty-three (23/122; 18.8%) of these new cases were confirmed by HCV PCR (all genotype 3[a]). CONCLUSION There is a significant cluster of recent HCV cases in multiply transfused thalassaemia patients in several centres in Sri Lanka. Most of the viruses shared a close phylogenetic relationship. The results are consistent with recent continuing transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. Routine surveillance for HCV of chronically transfused patients is required irrespective of screening of blood products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiromi Perera
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - David Bonsall
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Madunil A Niriella
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Angela Allen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Tropical and Infectious Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | - Ishari Silva
- Thalassaemia Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Paul Klenerman
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.,Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - David J Weatherall
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David J Roberts
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine and BRC Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,NHS Blood and Transplant, Oxford Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Anuja P Premawardhena
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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20
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Allen A, Perera S, Perera L, Rodrigo R, Mettananda S, Matope A, Silva I, Hameed N, Fisher CA, Olivieri N, Weatherall DJ, Allen S, Premawardhena A. A "One-Stop" Screening Protocol for Haemoglobinopathy Traits and Iron Deficiency in Sri Lanka. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:66. [PMID: 31448286 PMCID: PMC6696778 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The high frequencies of carriers of severe haemoglobinopathies and of iron deficiency in Southeast Asia require reliable and affordable tests to improve on current screening procedures. Objectives: We evaluate a "one stop" approach using the THALCON dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) and one-tube osmotic fragility (OF) tests and measurement of Zinc Protoporphyrin (ZPP) to detect and distinguish HbE and β-thalassaemia traits from iron deficiency. We compare findings with current screening practice in Sri Lanka that relies on the identification of low mean red cell volume and/or mean red cell hemoglobin for this purpose. Methods: Between November 2017 and May 2018, we undertook a cross-sectional survey of secondary school students in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka. The THALCON-DCIP and OF tests were compared to capillary electrophoresis (CE), used as a gold standard to detect haemoglobinopathies. ZPP was measured in whole blood. Plasma ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in students with a raised ZPP concentration. Results: We collected venous blood samples from 1,324/1,332 (99.4%) students. The median age of the students was 17 (IQR 16-18) years, all were Sinhalese and 814/1,324 (61.5%) were female. CE identified 3 students with HbE trait and 26 students with β-thalassaemia trait. The THALCON-DCIP test was positive only in the 3 students with HbE (sensitivity 100%, 95% CI 29.2-100.0; specificity 100%, 95% CI 99.7-100.0). The THALCON-OF test identified all 26 students with β-thalassaemia trait (sensitivity = 100%, 95% CI 86.8-100.0) and 287 students with a normal CE result (specificity = 77.9%; 95% CI 75.5-80.1). It was also positive in 2/3 (66.7%) students with HbE trait. Iron deficiency (ZPP > 70 μmol/mol heme) was present in 118/1,240 (9.5%) students with a normal hemoglobin genotype, all of whom had plasma ferritin <15 ng/ml and CRP <5 mg/L. Conclusion: This one-stop approach offers reliable and affordable population screening for both haemoglobinopathy traits and iron deficiency in resource-limited settings where these conditions are common and ensures that iron supplements are targeted only to those who require them. Further work is warranted to refine the OF test to reduce the number of false positive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Allen
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromi Perera
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Luxman Perera
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Rexan Rodrigo
- Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Agnes Matope
- Tropical Clinical Trials Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ishari Silva
- Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Nizri Hameed
- Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Christopher A Fisher
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy Olivieri
- Pediatrics, Medicine, and Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David J Weatherall
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Allen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Lanka.,Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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21
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Premawardhana AP, Mudiyanse R, De Silva ST, Jiffry N, Nelumdeniya U, de Silva U, Lamabadusuriya SP, Pushpakumara K, Dissanayaka R, Jansz M, Rifaya I, Navarathne U, Thirukumaran V, Arambepola M, Dayanada Bandara W, Vaidyanatha U, Mendis D, Weerasekara K, De Silva N, Shantha Kumara DK, Amarasena SD, Hemantha KK, Refai MACM, Silva I, Hameed N, Rajiyah F, Mettananda S, Allen A, Weatherall DJ, Oliveri NF. A nationwide survey of hospital-based thalassemia patients and standards of care and a preliminary assessment of the national prevention program in Sri Lanka. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220852. [PMID: 31419232 PMCID: PMC6697367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Our aim was to describe the numbers and distribution of patients with different types of thalassemia and to assess the standards of care in all thalassemia treatment centers throughout Sri Lanka and the success of the ongoing prevention programme. Methods This cross-sectional island-wide survey was conducted by two trained medical graduates, who visited each thalassemia center to collect data from every patient, using a standardized form. Data was collected through review of patient registers and clinical records. Results We collected data on 1774 patients from 23 centers. 1219 patients (68.7%) had homozygous β-thalassemia, 360 patients (20.3%) had hemoglobin E β-thalassemia, and 50 patients (2%) had sickle β-thalassemia. There were unacceptably high serum ferritin levels in almost all centers. The annual number of births of patients with β-thalassaemia varied between 45–55, with little evidence of reduction over 19 years. Conclusions Central coordination of the treatment and ultimately prevention of thalassemia is urgently needed in Sri Lanka. Development of expert centers with designated staff with sufficient resources will improve the quality of care and is preferred to managing patients in multiple small units.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rasnayaka Mudiyanse
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Shamila T. De Silva
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - M. Jansz
- General Hospital, Vavuniya, Sri Lanka
| | - I. Rifaya
- District General Hospital, Ampara, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ishari Silva
- Hemal's Adolescent and Adult Thalassemia Care Centre, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Nizri Hameed
- Hemal's Adolescent and Adult Thalassemia Care Centre, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - F. Rajiyah
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Sachith Mettananda
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Angela Allen
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Weatherall
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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22
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Perera S, Allen A, Silva I, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Allen S, Rees D, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ, Premawardhena A. Genotype-phenotype association analysis identifies the role of α globin genes in modulating disease severity of β thalassaemia intermedia in Sri Lanka. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10116. [PMID: 31300739 PMCID: PMC6625979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46674-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
β thalassaemia intermedia (βTI) are a heterogeneous group of disorders known to be extremely phenotypically diverse. This group is more complex to manage as no definitive treatment guidelines exist unlike for β thalassaemia major (βTM). There are only a few studies looking at genotype phenotype associations of βTI outside the Mediterranean region. The reasons for the diverse clinical phenotype in βTI are unknown. We categorized fifty Sri Lankan patients diagnosed with βTI as mild, moderate or severe according to published criteria. DNA samples were genotyped for β thalassaemia mutations, α globin genotype and copy number and known genetic modifiers of haemoglobin F production. There were 26/50 (52.0%) in mild group and 12/50 (24.0%) each in moderate and sever categories. 18/26 (69.2%) classified as mild were β heterozygotes and 17/18 (94.4%) had excess α globin genes. 11/12 (91.6%) classified as moderate were β heterozygotes and 8/11 (72.2%) had excess α globin genes. In contrast, 8/12 (66.7%) classified as severe were β homozygotes and 7/8(87.5%) had α globin gene deletions. In Sri Lanka, co-inheritance of either excess α globin genes in β thalassaemia heterozygotes or α globin gene deletions in β thalassaemia homozygotes is a significant factor in modulating disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiromi Perera
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
| | - Angela Allen
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Tropical and Infectious Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ishari Silva
- Hemal's Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Menaka Hapugoda
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | - Stephen Allen
- Centre for Tropical and Infectious Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Rees
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Dimitar G Efremov
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Rome, Italy
| | - Christopher A Fisher
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David J Weatherall
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.,Hemal's Thalassemia Care Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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23
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David “DJ” Weatherall. Am J Hum Genet 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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24
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Sirisena ND, Dissanayake VHW. Genetics and genomic medicine in Sri Lanka. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e744. [PMID: 31106988 PMCID: PMC6565544 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 heralded in a new era marked by remarkable advances in biomedical research leading to the establishment of genomics-based translational medicine mainly in the developed world. However, the development of such advances has been hampered in most parts of the developing world due to scarcity of resources and trained personnel. Genetics and genomic medicine are currently in the process of being integrated into the Sri Lankan health care system. These developments have taken place mainly due to the heightened awareness and increasing demands made by the public for provision of genetic diagnostic and therapeutic services in clinical care. Due to the exorbitant costs incurred in the maintenance of these services and the dearth of adequately trained manpower, only a few centers in the country, mainly in Universities or private sector, are currently engaged in providing these services to the public. This article aims to provide an overview of the genetics and genomic medicine services in Sri Lanka from its early developments to the current state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala D Sirisena
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
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25
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Mettananda S, Pathiraja H, Peiris R, Wickramarathne N, Bandara D, de Silva U, Mettananda C, Premawardhena A. Blood transfusion therapy for β-thalassemia major and hemoglobin E β-thalassemia: Adequacy, trends, and determinants in Sri Lanka. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27643. [PMID: 30697927 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular blood transfusion therapy still remains the cornerstone in the management of β-thalassemia. Although recommendations are clear for patients with β-thalassemia major, uniform transfusion guidelines are lacking for patients with hemoglobin E β-thalassemia. In this study, we aim to describe the adequacy, trends, and determinants of blood transfusion therapy in a large cohort of pediatric patients with β-thalassemia major and hemoglobin E β-thalassemia. METHODS/PROCEDURE This cross-sectional study was performed among all regularly transfused patents with β-thalassemia aged 2 to 18 years attending three large thalassemia centers in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, perusal of clinical records, and physical examination of patients by trained doctors. RESULTS A total of 328 patients (male 47%) were recruited; 83% had β-thalassemia major, whereas 16% had hemoglobin E β-thalassemia. Sixty-one percent of patients had low pretransfusion hemoglobin levels (< 9.0 g/dL) despite receiving high transfusion volumes (> 200 mL/kg/year) by a majority (56%). Median pretransfusion hemoglobin was significantly lower in patients with hemoglobin E β-thalassemia compared with β-thalassemia major (P < 0.001); however, there was no difference in requirement for high transfusion volumes over 200 mL/kg/year in both groups (P = 0.14). Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were more common in hemoglobin E β-thalassemia and were associated with lower pretransfusion hemoglobin. Transfusion requirements were higher among patients with hepatitis C and in those who are underweight. CONCLUSIONS Over 60% of regularly transfused patients with β-thalassemia have low pretransfusion hemoglobin levels despite receiving large transfusion volumes. Patients with hemoglobin E β-thalassemia are undertransfused and specific recommendations should be developed to guide transfusions in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachith Mettananda
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.,Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Hashan Pathiraja
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Ravindu Peiris
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | - Chamila Mettananda
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
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26
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El-Beshlawy A, El-Ghamrawy M. Recent trends in treatment of thalassemia. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2019; 76:53-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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27
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Premawardhena A, Ranawaka U, Pilapitiya T, Weerasinghe G, Hapangama A, Hettiarachchi S, Pathmeswaran A, Salvin K, Silva I, Hameed N, Weatherall M, Olivieri N, Weatherall D. Headache: an important symptom possibly linked to white matter lesions in thalassaemia. Br J Haematol 2019; 185:541-548. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Udaya Ranawaka
- Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya Ragama Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ishari Silva
- Hemals Thalassaemia Care Centre North Colombo (Teaching) Hospital Ragama Ragama Sri Lanka
| | - Nizri Hameed
- Hemals Thalassaemia Care Centre North Colombo (Teaching) Hospital Ragama Ragama Sri Lanka
| | | | - Nancy Olivieri
- Professor, Pediatrics, Medicine and Public Health Sciences University of Toronto Canada
| | - David Weatherall
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine University of Oxford Oxford UK
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28
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Agarwal RK, Sedai A, Ankita K, Parmar L, Dhanya R, Dhimal S, Sriniwas R, Gowda A, Gujjal P, H P, Jain S, Ramaiah JD, Jali S, Tallur NR, Ramprakash S, Faulkner L. Information Technology-Assisted Treatment Planning and Performance Assessment for Severe Thalassemia Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Observational Study. JMIR Med Inform 2019; 7:e9291. [PMID: 30672740 PMCID: PMC6364210 DOI: 10.2196/medinform.9291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Successful models of information and communication technology (ICT) applied to cost-effective delivery of quality care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are an increasing necessity. Severe thalassemia is one of the most common life-threatening noncommunicable diseases of children globally. Objective The aim was to study the impact of ICT on quality of care for severe thalassemia patients in LMIC. Methods A total of 1110 patients with severe thalassemia from five centers in India were followed over a 1-year period. The impact of consistent use of a Web-based platform designed to assist comprehensive management of severe thalassemia (ThalCare) on key indicators of quality of care such as minimum (pretransfusion) hemoglobin, serum ferritin, liver size, and spleen size were assessed. Results Overall improvements in initial hemoglobin, ferritin, and liver and spleen size were significant (P<.001 for each). For four centers, the improvement in mean pretransfusion hemoglobin level was statistically significant (P<.001). Four of five centers achieved reduction in mean ferritin levels, with two displaying a significant drop in ferritin (P=.004 and P<.001). One of the five centers did not record liver and spleen size on palpation, but of the remaining four centers, two witnessed a large drop in liver and spleen size (P<.01), one witnessed moderate drop (P=.05 for liver; P=.03 for spleen size), while the fourth witnessed a moderate increase in liver size (P=.08) and insignificant change in spleen size (P=.12). Conclusions Implementation of computer-assisted treatment planning and performance assessment consistently and positively impacted indexes reflecting effective delivery of care to patients suffering from severe thalassemia in LMIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Kumar Agarwal
- Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms Private Ltd, Bangalore, India.,Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore, India
| | - Amit Sedai
- Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms Private Ltd, Bangalore, India.,Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore, India
| | - Kumari Ankita
- Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms Private Ltd, Bangalore, India.,Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore, India
| | - Lalith Parmar
- Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms Private Ltd, Bangalore, India.,Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Sunil Dhimal
- Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms Private Ltd, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Ashwini Gowda
- Project Samraksha, Rashtrotthana Parishat, Bangalore, India
| | - Pooja Gujjal
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore, India
| | - Pushpa H
- Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore, India.,Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore, India
| | - Suman Jain
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Sujata Jali
- Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, India
| | | | - Stalin Ramprakash
- Sankalp-People Tree Centre for Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant, People Tree Hospitals, Bangalore, India
| | - Lawrence Faulkner
- Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore, India.,Cure2Children Foundation, Florence, Italy
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29
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Abstract
The thalassemias and other inherited disorders of hemoglobin are likely to remain a serious global health problem for the foreseeable future. Currently, they are most frequent in the tropical belt; an assessment of their true frequency and the likely cost of management for the governments of these countries will require a form of micromapping. Over recent years, there has been major progress toward better prevention and management of the thalassemias in richer countries; it is likely that, using the tools of molecular genetics, they will eventually be completely curable, although this is probably a long time in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Weatherall
- University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcilffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
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30
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Porter J. Beyond transfusion therapy: new therapies in thalassemia including drugs, alternate donor transplant, and gene therapy. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2018; 2018:361-370. [PMID: 30504333 PMCID: PMC6245990 DOI: 10.1182/asheducation-2018.1.361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Transfusion combined with chelation therapy for severe β thalassemia syndromes (transfusion-dependent thalassemia [TDT]) has been successful in extending life expectancy, decreasing comorbidities and improving quality of life. However, this puts lifelong demands not only on the patients but also on the health care systems that are tasked with delivering long-term treatment and comprehensive support. Prevention programs and curative approaches are therefore an important part of overall strategy. Curative treatments alter the dynamic of a patient's health care costs, from financial commitment over 50 years, into a potential "one-off" investment. Since the 1980s, this has usually been available only to the 30% or so of young children with matched sibling donors. By improving the safety of matched related donors and haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplants, the potential size of the donor pool for curative therapies may be increased. Recent advances in gene therapy demonstrate that even patients lacking a matched donor can be rendered transfusion independent with an autograft of genetically modified autologous stem cells, with a low short-term risk. Noncurative treatments are also of potential value by decreasing use of blood and chelators and decreasing hospital visits. An example is luspatercept, an activin-receptor trap that modifies transforming growth factor-β signaling, thereby increasing the efficiency of erythropoiesis. This has entered phase 3 clinical trials for TDT and non-TDT and, usefully increases in both Hb and quality of life in non-TDT as well as decreasing transfusion requirements in TDT. Other novel noncurative treatments are entering clinical trials such improvement of erythropoiesis through pharmacological manipulation of hepcidin and iron metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Porter
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
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31
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Yeh AC, Khan MA, Harlow J, Biswas AR, Akter M, Ferdous J, Ara T, Islam M, Caron M, Barron AM, Moran J, Brezina M, Nazneen H, Kamruzzaman M, Saha A, Marshall A, Afrose S, Stowell C, Preffer F, Bangsberg D, Goodman A, Attar E, McAfee S, Spitzer TR, Dey BR. Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in the Resource-Limited Setting: Establishing the First Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit in Bangladesh. J Glob Oncol 2018; 4:1-10. [PMID: 30241180 PMCID: PMC6223381 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.2016.006460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Treatment of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic diseases with hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) was first described almost 60 years ago, and its use has expanded significantly over the last 20 years. Whereas HSCT has become the standard of care for many patients in developed countries, the significant economic investment, infrastructure, and health care provider training that are required to provide such a service have prohibited it from being widely adopted, particularly in developing countries. METHODS Over the past two decades, however, efforts to bring HSCT to the developing world have increased, and several institutions have described their efforts to establish such a program. We aim to provide an overview of the current challenges and applications of HSCT in developing countries as well as to describe our experience in developing an HSCT program at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital in Bangladesh via a partnership with health care providers at Massachusetts General Hospital. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We discuss key steps of the program, including the formation of a collaborative partnership, infrastructure development, human resource capacity building, and financial considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert C Yeh
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohiuddin A Khan
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jason Harlow
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Akhil R Biswas
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mafruha Akter
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jannatul Ferdous
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tasneem Ara
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Manirul Islam
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Martin Caron
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anne-Marie Barron
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jenna Moran
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mark Brezina
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Humayra Nazneen
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kamruzzaman
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anup Saha
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ariela Marshall
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Salma Afrose
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Christopher Stowell
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Frederic Preffer
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - David Bangsberg
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Annekathryn Goodman
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Eyal Attar
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Steven McAfee
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Thomas R Spitzer
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Bimalangshu R Dey
- Albert C. Yeh, Christopher Stowell, Frederic Preffer, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jason Harlow and David Bangsberg, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health; Martin Caron, Jenna Moran, Mark Brezina, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Anne-Marie Barron, Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Science; Annekathryn Goodman, Eyal Attar, Steven McAfee, Thomas R. Spitzer, and Bimalangshu R. Dey, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Ariela Marshall, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Mohiuddin A. Khan, Akhil R. Biswas, Mafruha Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, Tasneem Ara, Manirul Islam, Humayra Nazneen, Md Kamruzzaman, Anup Saha, and Salma Afrose, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Goonasekera H, Paththinige C, Dissanayake V. Population Screening for Hemoglobinopathies. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2018; 19:355-380. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-091416-035451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies are the most common single-gene disorders in the world. Their prevalence is predicted to increase in the future, and low-income hemoglobinopathy-endemic regions need to manage most of the world's affected persons. International organizations, governments, and other stakeholders have initiated national or regional prevention programs in both endemic and nonendemic countries by performing population screening for α- and β-thalassemia, HbE disease, and sickle cell disease in neonates, adolescents, reproductive-age adults (preconceptionally or in the early antenatal period), and family members of diagnosed cases. The main aim of screening is to reduce the number of affected births and, in the case of sickle cell disease, reduce childhood morbidity and mortality. Screening strategies vary depending on the population group, but a few common screening test methods are universally used. We discuss the salient features of population-screening programs around the globe as well as current and proposed screening test methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H.W. Goonasekera
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka;, ,
| | - C.S. Paththinige
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka;, ,
- Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka
| | - V.H.W. Dissanayake
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka;, ,
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Suriapperuma T, Peiris R, Mettananda C, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S. Body iron status of children and adolescents with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia: trends of serum ferritin and associations of optimal body iron control. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:547. [PMID: 30071883 PMCID: PMC6071405 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This cross sectional study aims to describe the body iron status, trends of serum ferritin and associations of optimal body iron control in patients aged below 16 years with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia attending Paediatric and Adolescent Thalassaemia Centres of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital of Sri Lanka. Results Out of 54 children, 51% were males and a majority were aged 11–16 years; 83% had β-thalassaemia major while 13% had HbE β-thalassaemia. Mean serum ferritin was 1778(± 1458) µg/l and 29% had optimal serum ferritin (below 1000 µg/l). Trend of mean serum ferritin over time showed gradual decline between 2011 and 2017 and longitudinal trend of individual patients at yearly intervals showed gradual rise until 5 years of age and plateauing thereafter. All except two patients were receiving iron chelator medication of which the most commonly used was oral deferasirox (92%). The most common iron-related complications were short stature (24.1%) and pubertal delay (42.8% of > 14 years). None of the patients had hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism or diabetes. Optimal serum ferritin levels were significantly associated with the diagnosis of thalassaemia at a later age (23.6 vs 9.0 months) and higher family income (OR-4.81;95%CI 1.17–19.67) however was not associated with the age of the patient or duration of transfusion. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3634-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ravindu Peiris
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, Ragama, 11010, Sri Lanka
| | - Chamila Mettananda
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Sachith Mettananda
- Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. .,Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, Ragama, 11010, Sri Lanka.
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Karunaratna AMDS, Ranasingha JGS, Mudiyanse RM. Zinc Status in Beta Thalassemia Major Patients. Biol Trace Elem Res 2018; 184:1-6. [PMID: 28940159 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-017-1158-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Beta thalassemia is a common monogenic hereditary hemoglobinopathy which is associated with compound complications. Zinc deficiency, which is commonly observed in thalassemia patients, is also associated with multiple health complications. The objective of this study was to determine the zinc status and its effect on the growth and immune functions of young beta thalassemia major patients. The study included 40 patients in comparison with age- and sex-matched 30 healthy individuals as controls. The patients were interviewed for socio-demographic variables, and their medical histories were obtained from the hospital files. Serum concentrations of zinc and ferritin, height, and body mass indices (BMI) were calculated. Mean serum zinc level in beta thalassemia major patients was 44.7 ± 24.2 μg/dl whereas in the control group it was 63.3 ± 30.3μg/dl. The mean serum zinc level is significantly low in beta thalassemia major patients with respect to the control group. The gender, age, duration of blood transfusion, blood transfusion volume, mean pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration, deferasirox dose, and serum ferritin level bear no relationship with serum zinc level of the beta thalassemia major patients. Zinc level showed no significant correlation with z-scores of stature, sitting height index, BMI, and frequency of recent infections of patients. Although zinc deficiency is common in beta thalassemia major patients, it was found to have no significant effect on physical growth and frequency of infections. Further studies are recommended to investigate zinc status of beta thalassemia major patients.
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Abstract
Available and flexible choice of methods for screening and detecting β-thalassemia (β-thal) can promote control of thalassemia in developing countries. In this study, two methods, the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and reverse dot-blot hybridization assays were developed to detect common β-thal mutations in 244 thalassemia patients and 152 healthy people in North Vietnam. The most common mutation was codon 26 (G>A), also known as Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A), accounting for 26.4% of the total studied chromosomes, followed by codons 41/42 (-TCTT) (HBB: c.126_129delCTTT) and codon 17 (A>T) (HBB: c.c.52A>T), accounting for 19.4 and 16.4%, respectively. In addition, codon 95 (+A) (HBB: c.c.287_288insA) that is known as the Vietnamese mutation, accounted for 0.6%. Moreover, the heterozygous state of the four mutations was also found in healthy people, of which Hb E was again the most common mutation with a frequency 3.0%. The results of this study provide available methods and indicative data for preventive and control strategies concerning the genetic diagnosis of thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Thi Thuong Vo
- a Faculty of Biology , Vietnam National University, University of Science , Thanh Xuan , Hanoi , Vietnam
| | - Trang Thu Nguyen
- a Faculty of Biology , Vietnam National University, University of Science , Thanh Xuan , Hanoi , Vietnam
| | - Hai Xuan Le
- b National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion , Cau Giay , Hanoi , Vietnam
| | - Ha Thi Thu Le
- a Faculty of Biology , Vietnam National University, University of Science , Thanh Xuan , Hanoi , Vietnam
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Parmar L, Sedai A, Ankita K, Dhanya R, Agarwal RK, Dhimal S, Shriniwas R, Iyer HV, Gowda A, Gujjal P, Pushpa H, Jain S, Kondaveeti S, Dasaratha Ramaiah J, Raviteja, Jali S, Tallur NR, Ramprakash S, Faulkner L. Can inequity in healthcare be bridged in LMICs – Multicentre experience from thalassemia day care centres in India. PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phoj.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Kularatne WN, Jayasinghe RM, Diyunugala MC, Bandara D, Abeysundara S, Perera I. Sociodemographic profile and oral health status of thalassemic patients attending the National Thalassaemia Centre, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE AND CLINICAL DENTISTRY 2017; 9:e12293. [PMID: 28862373 DOI: 10.1111/jicd.12293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the present study was to investigate the sociodemographic profile and oral health status (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth [DMFT] and periodontal health) of thalassemic patients compared to healthy individuals. METHODS The data were collected by means of an interviewer-administered, pretested, and validated questionnaire, followed by oral examination. Patients attending the outpatient department, who were age and sex matched, but without any diagnosed or suspected long-term illnesses, were considered for the control group. Both groups were compared in terms of facial profile, skeletal pattern, facial angles, DMFT, and periodontal health (plaque index, bleeding on probing, and probing pocket depth). RESULTS The association of convex facial profile and class II skeletal pattern with Thalassemic status was statistically significant when compared to healthy individuals. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth in the permanent and deciduous dentition, plaque index, and probing pocket depths of the control group were significantly higher compared with the thalassemic group. Surprisingly, 67.8% of thalassemic patients did not show bleeding on probing. CONCLUSION Families of the thalassemic patients attending the National Thalassaemia Centre are from a low socioeconomic background. Their DMFT and periodontal health are significantly better than those of healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rasika M Jayasinghe
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | - Sachith Abeysundara
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Irosha Perera
- Community Dental Unit, Dental Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Doro MG, Casu G, Frogheri L, Persico I, Triet LPM, Hoa PTT, Hoang NH, Pirastru M, Mereu P, Cucca F, Masala B. Molecular Characterization of β-Thalassemia Mutations in Central Vietnam. Hemoglobin 2017; 41:96-99. [DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2017.1321013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria G. Doro
- Institute of Research and Biomedical Genetics, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Casu
- Institute of Research and Biomedical Genetics, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Laura Frogheri
- Institute of Research and Biomedical Genetics, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ivana Persico
- Institute of Research and Biomedical Genetics, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Le Phan Minh Triet
- Department of Hematology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue, Vietnam
| | | | - Nguyen Huy Hoang
- Department of Hematology, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Monica Pirastru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Paolo Mereu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesco Cucca
- Institute of Research and Biomedical Genetics, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Bruno Masala
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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ATG vs thiotepa with busulfan and cyclophosphamide in matched-related bone marrow transplantation for thalassemia. Blood Adv 2017; 1:792-801. [PMID: 29296723 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2016004119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Matched-related bone marrow transplantation (BMT) may cure >80% of low-risk children with severe thalassemia (ST). Very long-term follow-up studies have shown how the standard busulfan-cyclophosphamide (BuCy) regimen may be associated with normalization of health-related quality of life, no second malignancies in the absence of chronic graft-versus-host disease, and fertility preservation in many patients. However, because BuCy may be associated with high rejection rates, some centers incorporate thiotepa (Tt) in busulfan- or treosulfan-based regimens, a combination that may increase the risk of permanent infertility. This study retrospectively compares matched-related BMT outcomes in 2 groups of low-risk ST patients conditioned with either Tt or anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in addition to BuCy. A total of 81 consecutive first BMTs were performed in 5 collaborating startup BMT centers in the Indian subcontinent between January 2009 and January 2016; 30 patients were transplanted after conditioning with Tt-BuCy between January 2009 and July 2013, whereas between August 2013 and January 2016, 51 patients received ATG-BuCy. All patients were <15 years and had no hepatomegaly (liver ≤2 cm from costal margin). Actuarial overall survival in the Tt-BuCy and ATG-BuCy groups was 87% and 94% and thalassemia-free survival was 80% and 85% at a median follow-up of 37 and 17 months, respectively, with no significant differences by log-rank statistics. Substituting Tt with ATG in the standard BuCy context seems safe and effective and may decrease transplant-related mortality. Higher fertility rates are expected for patients who received ATG-BuCy.
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Nanayakkara KK, Rodrigo UG, Perera KLN, Nanayakkara CD. Pre-natal diagnosis of thalassaemia in Sri Lanka: A ten year review. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2017; 37:861-863. [PMID: 28397548 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1306841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Thalassaemia is the commonest monogenic disease in Sri Lanka, affecting over 3500 children and half-a-million thalassaemia carriers. This is a review of 82 amniocenteses performed from 2006 to 2016, in the largest prenatal diagnoses study for thalassaemia carried out in Sri Lanka. Amniocenteses were performed between 11 and 12 weeks of ultrasonically confirmed gestation, on mothers with previous thalassaemia major children pregnant for the second time and nulliparous thalassaemia trait women married to trait partners. The Consultant Radiologist, using local analgesia, under ultrasound cover, performed these as an outpatient procedure, at the Teaching Hospital Kandy & Suwasevana Hospital Kandy. The amniotic fluid was analysed by the team of Senior Geneticists, at the Genetech Molecular Diagnostics and School of Gene Technology, Colombo, via the polymerase-chain-reaction based ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation Systems) assay. The genetic results indicated the presence of 21% thalassaemia major foetuses, 53% thalassaemia traits and 26% foetuses without thalassaemia mutations. The predominance of the IVS1-5(G-C) mutation in the Sri Lankan population is exemplified, with a low prevalence of HbE thalassaemia. Impact statement Thalassaemia is the commonest monogenic disease in Sri Lanka affecting over 3500 children and half-a-million thalassaemia carriers. Although pre-natal diagnosis by amniocentesis was practised universally for many years, this could not be performed in Sri Lanka as genetic diagnostic facilities were not available until 2005. Therefore, parents with a thalassaemia major child limited their families to one child, by choice or by termination. The results of this study point to a 21% probability of thalassaemia major in the next child, giving the parents a guarded optimism to conceive another child without thalassaemia disease. With siblings being the highest HLA compatibility for Bone Marrow Transplant, that is now being established in Sri Lanka as a permanent cure for thalassaemia, this will bring a ray of hope for these desperate parents to finally cure their previous sick child. Although, 95% of the Sri Lankan mutated genetic sites for thalassaemia are known, more research will be needed to identify the other rare sites. The publication of this paper, with its novelty for pre-natal diagnosis, would encourage clinicians to practice it in other centres and to extend it to families with other genetic disorders.
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Wray K, Allen A, Evans E, Fisher C, Premawardhena A, Perera L, Rodrigo R, Goonathilaka G, Ramees L, Webster C, Armitage AE, Prentice AM, Weatherall DJ, Drakesmith H, Pasricha SR. Hepcidin detects iron deficiency in Sri Lankan adolescents with a high burden of hemoglobinopathy: A diagnostic test accuracy study. Am J Hematol 2017; 92:196-203. [PMID: 27883199 PMCID: PMC5324588 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Anemia affects over 800 million women and children globally. Measurement of hepcidin as an index of iron status shows promise, but its diagnostic performance where hemoglobinopathies are prevalent is unclear. We evaluated the performance of hepcidin as a diagnostic test of iron deficiency in adolescents across Sri Lanka. We selected 2273 samples from a nationally representative cross-sectional study of 7526 secondary schoolchildren across Sri Lanka and analyzed associations between hepcidin and participant characteristics, iron indices, inflammatory markers, and hemoglobinopathy states. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of hepcidin as a test for iron deficiency with estimation of the AUCROC , sensitivity/specificity at each hepcidin cutoff, and calculation of the Youden Index to find the optimal threshold. Hepcidin was associated with ferritin, sTfR, and hemoglobin. The AUCROC for hepcidin as a test of iron deficiency was 0.78; hepcidin outperformed Hb and sTfR. The Youden index-predicted cutoff to detect iron deficiency (3.2 ng/mL) was similar to thresholds previously identified to predict iron utilization and identify deficiency in African populations. Neither age, sex, nor α- or β-thalassemia trait affected diagnostic properties of hepcidin. Hepcidin pre-screening would prevent most iron-replete thalassemia carriers from receiving iron whilst still ensuring most iron deficient children were supplemented. Our data indicate that the physiological relationship between hepcidin and iron status transcends specific populations. Measurement of hepcidin in individuals or populations could establish the need for iron interventions. Am. J. Hematol. 92:196-203, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Wray
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford; Oxford UK
- BRC Blood Theme; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre; Oxford UK
| | - Angela Allen
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; Centre for Tropical and Infectious Diseases; Liverpool UK
| | - Emma Evans
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology; Birmingham Heartlands Hospital; Birmingham UK
| | - Chris Fisher
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | | | - Lakshman Perera
- Department of Medicine; University of Kelaniya; Colombo Sri Lanka
| | - Rexan Rodrigo
- Department of Medicine; University of Kelaniya; Colombo Sri Lanka
| | | | - Lebbe Ramees
- Department of Medicine; University of Kelaniya; Colombo Sri Lanka
| | - Craig Webster
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology; Birmingham Heartlands Hospital; Birmingham UK
| | - Andrew E Armitage
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | - Andrew M Prentice
- MRC Unit The Gambia, MRC Keneba; The Gambia
- MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; London UK
| | - David J Weatherall
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | - Hal Drakesmith
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford; Oxford UK
- BRC Blood Theme; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre; Oxford UK
| | - Sant-Rayn Pasricha
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford; Oxford UK
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Sewwandi Karunaratna AMD, Ranasingha JGS, Mudiyanse RM. Status of thyroid function and iron overload in adolescents and young adults with Beta-thalassemia major treated with deferoxamine in Jordan. International Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, 7(1): 47-52, 2011. https://zenodo.org/record/1080320#.YnlHJuhBzIU. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.5348/ijbti-2017-32-oa-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Premawardhena A, Allen A, Piel F, Fisher C, Perera L, Rodrigo R, Goonathilaka G, Ramees L, Peto T, Olivieri N, Weatherall D. The evolutionary and clinical implications of the uneven distribution of the frequency of the inherited haemoglobin variants over short geographical distances. Br J Haematol 2016; 176:475-484. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Angela Allen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit; MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; University of Oxford; Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Fred Piel
- Imperial College; London United Kingdom
| | - Chris Fisher
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit; MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; University of Oxford; Oxford United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Tim Peto
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Oxford; Oxford United Kingdom
| | | | - David Weatherall
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit; MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; University of Oxford; Oxford United Kingdom
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Lithanatudom P, Smith DR. Analysis of protein profiling studies of β-thalassemia/Hb E disease. Proteomics Clin Appl 2016; 10:1093-1102. [DOI: 10.1002/prca.201600086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Duncan R. Smith
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences; Mahidol University; Nakorn Pathom Thailand
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Allen A, Allen S, Olivieri N. Improving Laboratory and Clinical Hematology Services in Resource Limited Settings. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2016; 30:497-512. [PMID: 27040967 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2015.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The difficulties in establishing and delivering reliable clinical hematology and laboratory services in resource-limited settings are well recognized. However, much can be achieved by better use of existing resources through a concerted quality improvement approach. The recommendations of this article are based in part upon work in the thalassemias, inherited disorders of hemoglobin that are widely prevalent in Asia, which may serve as a model that is applicable to other common, chronic disorders in resource-poor settings. Available resources are highlighted and recommendations made regarding approaches to improving services. Over the last few years, a number of low and middle-income countries, obtaining support from appropriate governmental sources, have identified and overcome difficulties and significantly improved clinical services for patients with thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Allen
- Molecular Haematology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Stephen Allen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Nancy Olivieri
- Pediatrics, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Wing North, EN12-238, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada; Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Wing North, EN12-238, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada; Public Health Sciences, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Wing North, EN12-238, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada; Hemoglobal(®), 75 Indian Grove, Toronto, Ontario M6R 2Y5, Canada
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Teli AB, Deori R, Saikia SP, Pathak K, Panyang R, Rajkakati R. β-Thalassaemia and its Co-existence with Haemoglobin E and Haemoglobin S in Upper Assam Region of North Eastern India: A Hospital Based Study. J Clin Diagn Res 2016; 10:GC01-4. [PMID: 27190829 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2016/16265.7675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION β-Thalassaemias are common genetic disorders in the Indian subcontinent and its status has not been well studied in the Upper Assam region of North Eastern India. AIM The aim of the study was to show the prevalence of β- thalassaemias and its co-existence with Haemoglobin E and Haemoglobin S in the Upper Assam region of North Eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1200 anaemic patients were investigated for β- thalassaemias. Complete Blood Count (CBC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were done for screening. RESULTS Out of 1200 patients screened, 5.83% β-thalassaemia trait, 2.33% compound Hb E/β-Thalassaemia, 1.33% β-thalassaemia major and 0.42% compound Hb S/β- thalassaemia were detected. A high incidence of thalassaemia is found among the people of Upper Assam region of North Eastern India. CONCLUSION The only way to prevent the disease is carrier detection and awareness among the people about it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Barhai Teli
- Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College & Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Rumi Deori
- Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College & Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Sidhartha Protim Saikia
- Senior Research Fellow, Department of Anatomy, Assam Medical College & Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Kalyani Pathak
- Junior Research Fellow, Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College & Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Rita Panyang
- Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Assam Medical College & Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Rashmi Rajkakati
- Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College & Hospital , Dibrugarh, Assam, India
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Chatterjee T, Chakravarty A, Chakravarty S, Chowdhury MA, Sultana R. Mutation Spectrum ofβ-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies in Chittagong, Southeast Bangladesh. Hemoglobin 2015; 39:389-92. [DOI: 10.3109/03630269.2015.1078810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Abstract
More than 100 varieties of α-thalassemia have been identified. Their geographic distribution and the challenges associated with screening, diagnosis, and management suggest that α-thalassemias should have a higher priority on global public health agendas.
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Sharma R. Birth defects in India: Hidden truth, need for urgent attention. INDIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS 2014; 19:125-9. [PMID: 24019610 PMCID: PMC3758715 DOI: 10.4103/0971-6866.116101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Birth defects (structural, functional and metabolic disorder present from birth, may be diagnosed later) rising up as an important cause of infant mortality even in developing countries where infant mortality has been reduced to much extent. Seventy percent of birth defects are preventable through the application of various cost effective community genetic services. Indian people are living in the midst of risk factors for birth defects, e.g., universality of marriage, high fertility, large number of unplanned pregnancies, poor coverage of antenatal care, poor maternal nutritional status, high consanguineous marriages rate, and high carrier rate for hemoglobinopathies. India being the second most populous country with a large number infant born annually with birth defects should focus its attention on strategies for control of birth defects. Many population based strategies such as iodization, double fortification of salt, flour fortification with multivitamins, folic acid supplementation, periconceptional care, carrier screening and prenatal screening are some of proven strategies for control of birth defects. Strategies such as iodization of salt in spite of being initiated for a long time in the past do have a very little impact on its consumption (only 50% were using iodized salt). Community genetic services for control of birth defects can be easily flourished and integrated with primary health care in India because of its well established infrastructure and personnel in the field of maternal and child health care. As there is wide variation for infant mortality rate (IMR) in different states in India, so there is a need of deferential approach to implement community genetic services in states those had already achieved national goal of IMR. On the other hand, states those have not achieved the national goal on IMR priority should be given to management of other causes of infant mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinku Sharma
- Department of Community Medicine, SGT Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Budhera, Haryana, India
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50
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Bhattacharyya DM, Mukhopadhyay A, Basak J. Descriptive profile of β-thalassemia mutations in West Bengal population: a hospital-based study. Int J Hematol 2014; 99:345-53. [DOI: 10.1007/s12185-014-1511-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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