Different desferrioxamine usage in the patients with thalassemia major: a cost-effect analysis

Regular desferrioxamine (DFO) usage in patients with thalassemia major (TM) ameliorates hepatic, cardiac and endocrine dysfunction, improves growth and sexual maturation and prolongs survival. The difficulties of administering DFO with classic pumps are well known. The aim of this study was to compare the iron accumulation and cost effects between the continuous 48 hours infusion of DFO with infusor pump and the intermittent 40 hours infusion with classic pump in patients with TM. A total of 54 patients with TM were divided to two groups, first group includes 27 patients (18 female, 9 male) aged between 5.5 and 20.5 years, and were infused a total of 100 mg/kg DFO with infusor in 48 hours. Second group includes 27 patients (18 female, 9 male) aged between 6 and 22 years, were infused a total of 200 mg/kg DFO in 4 days with an intermittent infusions for about in 40 hours. After one year of treatment, the patients were compared from a clinical view point and cost of medical treatment. No statistical difference was found between infusor pump and classic pump in terms of cost-effectiveness.