Challenges of adherence and persistence with iron chelation therapy.

Abstract

Due to advances in medical sciences, many chronic diseases that formerly resulted in early death can now be effectively managed with long-term treatment regimens. Patients with potentially fatal anemias, for example, can be treated with ongoing blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Ensuring adherence and persistence is challenging, as the benefits of therapy are not perceived immediately. Poor adherence severely compromises the effectiveness of treatment and, therefore, improving compliance in terms of quality of life and health economics is critical. Although adherence to chelation therapy is generally poor, the availability of oral iron chelators may help to improve patient compliance. For chronic conditions such as thalassemia major, even when oral chelation therapy is available, support by an integrated team including a clinical psychologist and nurse specialist working with the treatment center is recommended to achieve optimal results.

• Authors: John B Porter, Michael Evangeli, Amal El-Beshlawy
• Journal: International journal of hematology (Int J Hematol) Vol. 94 Issue 5 Pg. 453-60 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1865-3774 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 21993873 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzoates
• Dosage Forms
• Iron Chelating Agents
• Pyridones
• Triazoles
• Deferiprone
• Deferoxamine
• Deferasirox

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Anemia, Sickle Cell (drug therapy, psychology)
• Benzoates (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Deferasirox
• Deferiprone
• Deferoxamine (administration & dosage)
• Dosage Forms
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Iron Chelating Agents (administration & dosage)
• Iron Overload (drug therapy, psychology)
• Patient Care Team
• Patient Compliance
• Pyridones (administration & dosage)
• Time Factors
• Triazoles (administration & dosage)
• beta-Thalassemia (drug therapy, psychology)