Standard of care

I am trying to find out what percentage of patients are being offered a chelation option especially in countries with a large Thalassaemia population- pakistan and India. Do you have an idea of what the breakdown in the thalassemia population is out there- the range of adults and children?

Pardon my ignorance; but I don't seem to understand what you are trying to ask and what do the polling options mean?

Everyone is offered chelation above 2 years of age who have a S.F level above 2000

Hi Sajid,
Thank you for responding, sorry that i wasn't clear. I am trying to find out whether all patients are offered a chelation program once they start off being transfused. I have heard that in some countries these programs are not available to all, especially younger children.

I am also wondering what the makeup of patients rae currently- is there more adults than babies? if this is so then it would mean that more people are now becoming aware of thalassaemia (at least I hope so)

Would you have an idea?
Thanks
Sammy

Hello Sammyjoe

I guess it will be difficult to answer your question because in developing and third world countries, it is hard to  get an accurate statistics about a disease especially that there are many who are born and die without even seeing a doctor. On the contrary, in first world countries where you may find some concern to statistics and findings, thalassemia is rare or uncommom and therefore is not recognized.

Manal

Hi Sammy,

There are no statistical figures here but generally we have more Thal. kids than adults as many patients don't reach adulthood. However, things are changing and now we have quite a handful of adult Thals. thanks to better dedicated treatment centers who offer free treatment (including chelation) to everyone.

Awareness is still an issue which needs to be prioritised here as I see new registrations almost every day which is quite worrying.