Regional consensus opinion for the management of Beta thalassemia major in the Arabian Gulf area

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013 Sep 17:8:143. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-8-143.

Abstract

Thalassemia syndrome has diverse clinical presentations and a global spread that has far exceeded the classical Mediterranean basin where the mutations arose. The mutations that give rise to either alpha or beta thalassemia are numerous, resulting in a wide spectrum of clinical severity ranging from carrier state to life-threatening, inherited hemolytic anemia that requires regular blood transfusion. Beta thalassemia major constitutes a remarkable challenge to health care providers. The complications arising due to the anemia, transfusional iron overload, as well as other therapy-related complications add to the complexity of this condition. To produce this consensus opinion manuscript, a PubMed search was performed to gather evidence-based original articles, review articles, as well as published work reflecting the experience of physicians and scientists in the Arabian Gulf region in an effort to standardize the management protocol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arabia / epidemiology
  • Consensus
  • Humans
  • beta-Thalassemia / complications
  • beta-Thalassemia / diagnosis*
  • beta-Thalassemia / epidemiology*