Our Iron Will: Trasfusional iron overload

The risk of life-threatening complications increases as iron builds-up in the organs

60-70% of deaths in people, with thalassaemia major are due to heart complications and disease.^{6 *}

People with sickle cell disease receiving transfusions had 4.1 hospital stays per year vs. 2.1 for non-transfused patients.^{7 †}

The death rate is 3X higher among people with thalassaemia major and sickle cell disease with transfusional iron overload.^{7 †}

* Based on a total of 1,073 patients diagnosed with thalassaemia major before the age of 3.
† Based on a study of patients who were either currently on or had received regular transfusion therapy and confirmed to have iron overload as defined by a liver iron concentration (LIC) of >10 mg/g dry weight or 3 serum ferritin values that averaged ≥2,000 ng/mL within the previous 12 months. 142 patients with thalassaemia and 199 patients with sickle cell disease who received regular transfusions were included in the study group and compared with 64 non-treated sickle cell disease patients as controls. Despite improvements in therapy, death rate in this contemporary sample of transfused adult subjects with Thal or SCD is 3 times greater than the general US population

The goal of iron chelation therapy is to be efficient whilst minimising side effects^3,6,7

Appropriate chelation needs to be regularly adjusted based on iron level, patient’s weight, and side effects experienced.^{1, 4, 8} Talk to your doctor about how you feel and be sure to tell him about side effects like hearing loss, vision problems, kidney issues or gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. nausea and vomiting) that keep you from taking your medication as prescribed.

Appropriate iron chelation, at the appropriate dose, removes extra iron from the body and organs to help prevent damage caused by iron overload^4,8

Goals of appropriate chelation therapy

The way to know if iron chelation therapy is working is to have iron levels checked regularly^1,2

Treatment guidelines support regular monitoring of serum ferritin, liver iron and cardiac T2*.⁹

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SICKLE CELL DISEASE

THALASSAEMIA

Regular transfusions cause iron overload.

Be aware of your iron chelation needs. When it comes to iron chelation, one size does not fit all. Your doctor will assess your appropriate iron chelation needs and adjust it regularly.

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Patients & Caregivers: in case of need to report an adverse drug reaction, please refer to your physician, asking him to fill in and submit the relevant case report to the concerned Health Authority, according to the Pharmacovigilance requirements in force in your Country. Nevertheless, please be kindly reminded that each patient can report any such cases directly to the national reporting system.

Transfusional iron overload affects the whole body^2,3

Build-up of extra iron can damage the liver, heart and endocrine system.²

The risk of life-threatening complications increases as iron builds-up in the organs

The goal of iron chelation therapy is to be efficient whilst minimising side effects^3,6,7

Appropriate iron chelation, at the appropriate dose, removes extra iron from the body and organs to help prevent damage caused by iron overload^4,8

Goals of appropriate chelation therapy

The way to know if iron chelation therapy is working is to have iron levels checked regularly^1,2

Regular transfusions cause iron overload.

Transfusional iron overload affects the whole body2,3

Build-up of extra iron can damage the liver, heart and endocrine system.2

The risk of life-threatening complications increases as iron builds-up in the organs

The goal of iron chelation therapy is to be efficient whilst minimising side effects3,6,7

Appropriate iron chelation, at the appropriate dose, removes extra iron from the body and organs to help prevent damage caused by iron overload4,8

Goals of appropriate chelation therapy

The way to know if iron chelation therapy is working is to have iron levels checked regularly1,2

Regular transfusions cause iron overload.

Transfusional iron overload affects the whole body^2,3

Build-up of extra iron can damage the liver, heart and endocrine system.²

The goal of iron chelation therapy is to be efficient whilst minimising side effects^3,6,7

Appropriate iron chelation, at the appropriate dose, removes extra iron from the body and organs to help prevent damage caused by iron overload^4,8

The way to know if iron chelation therapy is working is to have iron levels checked regularly^1,2