THALASSEMIC SYNDROMES IN LATIUM - EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVALUATION

Background and Objective. After the first National Census of transfusi on-dependent thalassemics (1984), in 1992 the Italian Association of P ediatric Hematology and Oncology and the National Health Institute org anized its 3(rd) edition. Here, results concerning Latium are presente d and discussed. Design and Methods. Data for Latium, as in the rest o f Italy, were collected by a single reference center; among all eventu al care centers for thalassemia Initially contacted, only those with p atients were sent data forms, For new cases, a questionnaire was submi tted to parents to obtaining social data, and information on their kno wledge of thalassemia. Results. Collected data were divided into 2 gro ups: old cases, before June 30, 1988, and new cases, between July 1, 1 988 and December 31, 1992. On the whole, 262 transfusion-dependent tha lassemics (127 m., 135 f.) could be counted. Sixteen percent were affe cted with thalassemia intermedia, severe enough as to need regular tra nsfusions. New patients (last 5 years): the birth of almost 80% of the m was due to combined mistakes of parents and doctors. Disease evoluti on: 19/262 patients had been submitted to BMT (presently transfusion-f ree). Causes of death: 22 patients died in the considered period, most ly for cardiologic complications. Interpretation and Conclusions. Data emerging from censuses on specific pathologies of high social impact (such as thalassemia) may help health plans to rationalize public expe nditure, especially by improving working conditions of care centers. ( C)1998, Ferrata Storti Foundation.