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Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Jun 2022Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of a CVR cut-off value of 1.6 for fetal hydrops due to congenital lung malformation (CLM). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of a CVR cut-off value of 1.6 for fetal hydrops due to congenital lung malformation (CLM).
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang published before 7/30/2021 for the value of a congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR) cut-off value of 1.6 for the diagnosis of fetal hydrops. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature that met the requirements were obtained. A total of 75 articles were retrieved, and 12 articles were included for further analysis. The quality of these studies was evaluated according to the Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy tool (QUADAS-2) criteria. The Q test and heterogeneity I were used to evaluate the heterogeneity due to non-threshold effects, and Stata 15.0 was used for statistical analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of the CVR cutoff value of 1.6 for fetal hydrops due to CLM.
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies were included. The QUADAS-2 indicated that the risk of bias was relatively low, and the clinical applicability was relatively high. Statistical analysis was performed on included studies using a random effect model. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic ratio and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) for the diagnosis of fetal hydrops by CVR were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.72-0.93; I = 59.84), 0.90 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93; I = 31.94), 58 (95% CI, 22-149; I = 100%), 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91-0.95).
CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity and specificity of CVR cut-off value 1.6 for the diagnosis of CLM-induced fetal hydrops were high, no publication bias was observed, and the CVR cut-off value 1.6 is meaningful for the early diagnosis prediction of CLM-induced fetal hydrops.
Topics: Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital; Female; Humans; Hydrops Fetalis; Lung; Lung Diseases; Pregnancy; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 35658911
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02347-0 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Jul 2022We evaluated the safety of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Maximal CPET using gas exchange analysis is the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the safety of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Maximal CPET using gas exchange analysis is the gold standard for measuring cardiopulmonary fitness in the laboratory, yet its safety in the SCD population is unclear.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Systematic search of Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov and professional society websites for all published studies and abstracts through December 2020.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
Two reviewers independently extracted data of interest from studies that assessed safety outcomes of maximal CPET in children and adults with SCD. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess for risk of bias in studies included.
RESULTS
In total, 24 studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Adverse events were reported separately or as part of study results in 36 (3.8%) of 939 participants with SCD undergoing maximal CPET in studies included. Most adverse events were related to transient ischaemic changes on ECG monitoring or oxygen desaturation during testing, which did not result in arrhythmias or other complications. Only 4 (0.43%) of 939 participants experienced pain events due to maximal CPET.
CONCLUSION
Maximal CPET appears to be a safe testing modality in children and adults with SCD and can be used to better understand the physiological basis of reduced exercise capacity and guide exercise prescription in this population. Some studies did not focus on reporting adverse events related to exercise testing or failed to mention safety monitoring, which contributed to risk of bias.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Child; Exercise; Exercise Test; Exercise Therapy; Humans
PubMed: 34285054
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104450 -
Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal... Jan 2021Hydrops fetalis (HF), accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments, is life-threatening to the fetus. Genetic etiologies include many chromosomal and...
Hydrops fetalis (HF), accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments, is life-threatening to the fetus. Genetic etiologies include many chromosomal and monogenic disorders. Despite this, the clinical workup typically evaluates limited genetic targets. To support broader molecular testing of pregnancies with HF, we cataloged the spectrum of monogenic disorders associated with nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF). We performed a systematic literature review under PROSPERO tag CRD42018099495 of cases reporting NIHF meeting strict phenotypic criteria and well-defined genetic diagnosis. We ranked the evidence per gene based on number of reported cases, phenotype, and molecular/biochemical diagnosis. We identified 131 genes with strong evidence for an association with NIHF and 46 genes with emerging evidence spanning the spectrum of multisystem syndromes, cardiac disorders, hematologic disorders, and metabolic disorders. Several genes previously implicated with NIHF did not have any reported cases in the literature with both fetal hydrops and molecular diagnosis. Many genes with strong evidence for association with NIHF would not be detected using current sequencing panels. Nonimmune HF has many possible monogenic etiologies, several with treatment implications, but current diagnostic approaches are not exhaustive. Studies are needed to assess if broad sequencing approaches like exome sequencing are useful in clinical management of HF.
Topics: Female; Fetus; Humans; Hydrops Fetalis; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Exome Sequencing
PubMed: 33082562
DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-00967-0 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2020Sickle cell disease is the most common hemoglobinopathy occurring worldwide and sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis is a complication long recognized in this...
BACKGROUND
Sickle cell disease is the most common hemoglobinopathy occurring worldwide and sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis is a complication long recognized in this population. Cholestatic liver diseases are characterized by impaired formation or excretion (or both) of bile from the liver. There is a need to assess the clinical benefits and harms of the interventions used to treat intrahepatic cholestasis in people with sickle cell disease. This is an update of a previously published Cochrane Review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of the interventions for treating intrahepatic cholestasis in people with sickle cell disease.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register, which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearching of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We also searched the LILACS database (1982 to 21 January 2020), the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov (21 January 2020). Date of last search of the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register: 25 November 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for published or unpublished randomised controlled trials.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Each author intended to independently extract data, assess the risk of bias of the trials by standard Cochrane methodologies and assess the quality of the evidence using the GRADE criteria; however, no trials were included in the review.
MAIN RESULTS
We did not identify any randomised controlled trials.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This updated Cochrane Review did not identify any randomised controlled trials assessing interventions for treating intrahepatic cholestasis in people with sickle cell disease. Randomised controlled trials are needed to establish the optimum treatment for this condition.
Topics: Anemia, Sickle Cell; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic; Humans
PubMed: 32567054
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010985.pub4 -
Systematic Reviews Oct 2020Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder caused by the replacement of normal haemoglobin (HbA) by mutant Hb (sickle Hb, HbS). The...
BACKGROUND
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder caused by the replacement of normal haemoglobin (HbA) by mutant Hb (sickle Hb, HbS). The sickle-shaped red blood cells lead to haemolysis and vaso-occlusion. Especially in the first years of life, patients with SCD are at high risk of life-threatening complications. SCD prevalence shows large regional variations; the disease predominantly occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to systematically assess the evidence on the benefit of newborn screening for SCD followed by an earlier treatment start.
METHODS
We systematically searched bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases, and the Health Technology Assessment Database), trial registries, and other sources to identify systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised trials on newborn screening for SCD. The last search was in 07/2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles and assessed the risk of bias of the studies included. Data were extracted by one person and checked by another. As meta-analyses were not possible, a qualitative summary of results was performed.
RESULTS
We identified 1 eligible study with direct evidence: a Jamaican retrospective study evaluating newborn screening for SCD followed by preventive measures (prevention of infections and education of parents). The study included 500 patients with SCD (intervention group, 395; historical control group, 105). Although the results showed a high risk of bias, the difference between the intervention and the control group was very large: mortality in children decreased by a factor of about 10 in the first 5 years of life (0.02% in the intervention group vs. 0.19% in the control group, odds ratio 0.09; 95% confidence interval [0.04; 0.22], p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The results are based on a single retrospective study including historical controls. However, the decrease of mortality by a factor of 10 is unlikely to be explained by bias alone. Therefore, in terms of mortality, data from this single retrospective study included in our systematic review suggest a benefit of newborn screening for SCD (followed by preventive measures) versus no newborn screening for SCD (weak certainty of conclusions).
Topics: Anemia, Sickle Cell; Child; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Mass Screening
PubMed: 33126922
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01504-5 -
Journal of Oral Biology and... 2022The long passing time for tooth movement (TM) is one of the challenges in orthodontic. complications such as gingival recession, root resorption, and caries are common... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The long passing time for tooth movement (TM) is one of the challenges in orthodontic. complications such as gingival recession, root resorption, and caries are common in orthodontic. To address this, there is an increased tendency to find safe and effective methods to accelerating tooth movement. A surgical method such as micro-osteoperforations (MOP) accelerating the TM. The current meta-analysis aims to investigate the outcome of MOP in accelerating TM in animal studies.
METHODS
In the present meta-analysis, we evaluated 6 studies that focused on the effect of MOP on TM with the following keywords: (((MOP* OR micro-osteoperforations*) AND (("accelerating tooth movement " OR " tooth movement" AND " orthodontic tooth movement " OR " orthodontic ") until May 2021.
RESULTS
The results have shown there is significant difference in TM after using MOP (MD: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.42, P < 0.00001, I2 = 76%). Subgroup analysis revealed that though experimental duration in both less than 4-week and more than 4-week, the TM were significant difference between MOP and controls. Besides, in both force subgroups including less than 100 g and more than 100g, the TM was a significant difference between MOP and controls.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis found that generally MOP has a positive effect on TM.
PubMed: 36212615
DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2022.09.015 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2020Sickle cell disease comprises a group of genetic haemoglobin disorders. The predominant symptom associated with sickle cell disease is pain resulting from the occlusion... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Sickle cell disease comprises a group of genetic haemoglobin disorders. The predominant symptom associated with sickle cell disease is pain resulting from the occlusion of small blood vessels by abnormally 'sickle-shaped' red blood cells. There are other complications, including chronic organ damage and prolonged painful erection of the penis, known as priapism. Severity of sickle cell disease is variable, and treatment is usually symptomatic. Priapism affects up to half of all men with sickle cell disease, however, there is no consistency in treatment. We therefore need to know the best way of treating this complication in order to offer an effective interventional approach to all affected individuals. This is an update of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and risks of different treatments for stuttering (repeated short episodes) and fulminant (lasting for six hours or more) priapism in sickle cell disease.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register, which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We also searched trial registries. Date of the most recent search of the Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register: 09 September 2019. Date of most recent search of trial registries and of Embase: 01 October 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing non-surgical or surgical treatment with placebo or no treatment, or with another intervention for stuttering or fulminant priapism.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the trials.
MAIN RESULTS
Three trials with 102 participants were identified and met the criteria for inclusion in this review. These trials compared stilboestrol to placebo, sildenafil to placebo and a four-arm trial which compared ephedrine or etilefrine to placebo and ranged in duration from two weeks to six months. All of the trials were conducted in an outpatient setting in Jamaica, Nigeria and the UK. None of the trials measured our first primary outcome, detumescence. However, all three trials reported on the reduction in frequency of stuttering priapism, our second primary outcome; and from the evidence included in this review, we are uncertain whether stilboestrol, etilefrine or ephedrine reduce the frequency of stuttering priapism as the certainty of the evidence has been assessed as very low. Additionally, we conclude that sildenafil may make little or no difference (low-certainty evidence). Two trials reported on immediate side effects and we are uncertain whether etilefrine or ephedrine reduce the occurrence of these (very low-certainty of evidence) and also conclude that sildenafil may make little or no difference in side effects (low-quality evidence). Given that all of the trials were at risk of bias and all had low participant numbers, we considered the certainty of the evidence to be low to very low.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of evidence for the benefits or risks of the different treatments for both stuttering and fulminant priapism in sickle cell disease. This systematic review has clearly identified the need for well-designed, adequately-powered, multicentre randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of specific interventions for priapism in sickle cell disease.
Topics: Adrenergic Agents; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Diethylstilbestrol; Ephedrine; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Etilefrine; Humans; Male; Priapism; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sildenafil Citrate; Tachycardia; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Young Adult
PubMed: 32251534
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004198.pub4 -
Haematologica Aug 2022Whether corticosteroids improve outcome in patients with acute complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) is still debated. We performed a systematic review of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Whether corticosteroids improve outcome in patients with acute complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) is still debated. We performed a systematic review of the literature with the aim of estimating effects of corticosteroids on the clinical course of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) or acute chest syndrome (ACS) in patients with SCD. The primary outcome was transfusion requirement during hospitalization. Studies were identified by search of MEDLINE and CENTRAL database. Three randomized clinical trials (RCT) and three retrospective cohort studies (RCS) were included, involving 3,304 participants and 5,562 VOC or ACS episodes. There was no difference between corticosteroids and standard treatment regarding transfusion requirement overall (odds ratio [OR]=0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38-2.53) but there was a significant interaction of the study type (P<0.0001): corticosteroid therapy was associated with a lower risk of transfusion in RCT (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.45) and a higher risk of transfusion in RCS (OR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.33-3.40. In RCT, the length of hospital stay was lower with corticosteroids as compared with standard treatment: mean difference - 24 hours (95% CI: -35 to -14). Corticosteroids were associated with an increased risk of hospital readmission as compared with standard treatment, in RCT, RCS, and the entire cohort: OR=5.91, 95% CI: 1.40-24.83; OR=3.28, 95% CI: 1.46-7.36 and OR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.97-5.24, respectively. Corticosteroids were associated with reduced number of transfusions and length of stay in RCT but not in RCS, with more rehospitalizations overall. Additional RCT should be conducted while minimizing the risk of rehospitalizations.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Blood Transfusion; Humans; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 35021607
DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2021.280105 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2020Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonest severe monogenic disorders in the world, due to the inheritance of two abnormal haemoglobin (beta globin) genes. SCD... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonest severe monogenic disorders in the world, due to the inheritance of two abnormal haemoglobin (beta globin) genes. SCD can cause severe pain, significant end-organ damage, pulmonary complications, and premature death. Surgical interventions are more common in people with SCD, and occur at much younger ages than in the general population. Blood transfusions are frequently used prior to surgery and several regimens are used but there is no consensus over the best method or the necessity of transfusion in specific surgical cases. This is an update of a Cochrane Review.
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether there is evidence that preoperative blood transfusion in people with SCD undergoing elective or emergency surgery reduces mortality and perioperative or sickle cell-related serious adverse events. To compare the effectiveness of different transfusion regimens (aggressive or conservative) if preoperative transfusions are indicated in people with SCD.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched for relevant trials in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), the Transfusion Evidence Library (from 1980), and ongoing trial databases; all searches current to 28 January 2020 We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register: 19 September 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing preoperative blood transfusion regimens to different regimens or no transfusion in people with SCD undergoing elective or emergency surgery. There was no restriction by outcomes examined, language or publication status.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and the risk of bias and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
Three trials with 990 participants were eligible for inclusion in the review. There were no ongoing trials identified. These trials were conducted between 1988 and 2011. The majority of people included had haemoglobin (Hb) SS SCD. The majority of surgical procedures were considered low or intermediate risk for developing sickle cell-related complications. Aggressive versus simple red blood cell transfusions One trial (551 participants) compared an aggressive transfusion regimen (decreasing sickle haemoglobin to less than 30%) to a simple transfusion regimen (increasing haemoglobin to 100 g/L). This trial re-randomised participants and therefore quantitative analysis was only possible on two subsets of data: participants undergoing cholecystectomy (230 participants); and participants undergoing tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy surgeries (107 participants). Data were not combined as we do not know if any participant received both surgeries. Overall, the quality of the evidence was very low across different outcomes according to GRADE methodology. This was due to the trial being at high risk of bias primarily due to lack of blinding, indirectness and the outcome estimates being imprecise. Cholecystectomy subgroup results are reported in the abstract. Results for both subgroups were similar. There was no difference in all-cause mortality between people receiving aggressive transfusions and those receiving conservative transfusions. No deaths occurred in either subgroup. There were no differences between the aggressive transfusion group and conservative transfusion group in the number of people developing: • an acute chest syndrome, risk ratio (RR) 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 1.84) (one trial, 230 participants, very low-quality evidence); • vaso-occlusive crisis, risk ratio 0.30 (95% CI 0.09 to 1.04) (one trial, 230 participants, very low quality evidence); • serious infection, risk ratio 1.75 (95% CI 0.59 to 5.18) (one trial, 230 participants, very low-quality evidence); • any perioperative complications, RR 0.75 (95% CI 0.36 to 1.55) (one trial, 230 participants, very low-quality evidence); • a transfusion-related complication, RR 1.85 (95% CI 0.89 to 3.88) (one trial, 230 participants, very low-quality evidence). Preoperative transfusion versus no preoperative transfusion Two trials (434 participants) compared a preoperative transfusion plus standard care to a group receiving standard care. Overall, the quality of the evidence was low to very low across different outcomes according to GRADE methodology. This was due to the trials being at high risk of bias due to lack of blinding, and outcome estimates being imprecise. One trial was stopped early because more people in the no transfusion arm developed an acute chest syndrome. There was no difference in all-cause mortality between people receiving preoperative transfusions and those receiving no preoperative transfusions (two trials, 434 participants, no deaths occurred). There was significant heterogeneity between the two trials in the number of people developing an acute chest syndrome, a meta-analysis was therefore not performed. One trial showed a reduced number of people developing acute chest syndrome between people receiving preoperative transfusions and those receiving no preoperative transfusions, risk ratio 0.11 (95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.80) (65 participants), whereas the other trial did not, RR 4.81 (95% CI 0.23 to 99.61) (369 participants). There were no differences between the preoperative transfusion groups and the groups without preoperative transfusion in the number of people developing: • a vaso-occlusive crisis, Peto odds ratio (OR) 1.91 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 6.04) (two trials, 434 participants, very low-quality evidence). • a serious infection, Peto OR 1.29 (95% CI 0.29 to 5.71) (two trials, 434 participants, very low-quality evidence); • any perioperative complications, RR 0.24 (95% CI 0.03 to 2.05) (one trial, 65 participants, low-quality evidence). There was an increase in the number of people developing circulatory overload in those receiving preoperative transfusions compared to those not receiving preoperative transfusions in one of the two trials, and no events were seen in the other trial (no meta-analysis performed).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence from randomised trials to determine whether conservative preoperative blood transfusion is as effective as aggressive preoperative blood transfusion in preventing sickle-related or surgery-related complications in people with HbSS disease. There is very low quality evidence that preoperative blood transfusion may prevent development of acute chest syndrome. Due to lack of evidence this review cannot comment on management for people with HbSC or HbSβ disease or for those with high baseline haemoglobin concentrations.
Topics: Acute Chest Syndrome; Adenoidectomy; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Blood Transfusion; Cholecystectomy; Hemoglobin, Sickle; Humans; Preoperative Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tonsillectomy; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 32614473
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003149.pub4 -
Cureus Aug 2020-thalassemia major (TM) is one of the most prevalent inherited hemoglobinopathies in Pakistan. It has one of the highest prevalence of transfusion-dependent TM patients... (Review)
Review
-thalassemia major (TM) is one of the most prevalent inherited hemoglobinopathies in Pakistan. It has one of the highest prevalence of transfusion-dependent TM patients globally, with an estimated greater than 100,000 active cases. Blood transfusions (BT) are essential in the management of severe TM; it is critical to have a safe BT to reduce the risk of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). Frequent blood transfusions in these patients increase their risk of acquiring TTIs compared to the general population. We performed a systematic literature search to identify studies related to the TTIs and transfusion-related infections in Pakistan from January 1, 2010, to January 31, 2020. The search was conducted using PubMed and PakMediNet, with initial search retrieved 981 studies. Among these, 166 studies met the inclusion criteria, and only 14 studies met the final criteria for qualitative synthesis. Analysis of 14 studies (n = 3786) showed the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) of 3.13% (0.66% to 7.4%) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) of 26% (5.56% to 68.2%). There were only two studies that reported HIV seroprevalence of 0% and 0.5% (n = 6). The rate of seropositivity for HBV and HCV was directly related to the number of transfusions, higher ferritin levels, and older age groups. There was an increase in the HCV rate with the increasing age of patients. Thalassemia patients, who were older than ten years of age, had an HCV rate of 22% compared to only 8.4% in patients younger than ten years of age. A comparison of HCV in healthy donors vs. thalassemia patients showed a rate of 1.9% vs. 13.1% for TM patients. The majority of the patients were males (51% to 88%). The seroprevalence of TTIs was higher in males than in females (73.4% vs. 26.6%). On average, a single TM patient is exposed to at least 17 different donors annually, requiring 1-2 transfusions every month. Our study highlights that the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections, especially HCV, is alarmingly higher (26%) in the TM population than in the general population. There is limited data regarding the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and malaria in this population. This is mainly due to a fragmented system of blood transfusion, weak regulations, and lower rates of voluntary blood donations. These findings warrant better health measures to improve the blood donation system and specialized care for TM patients.
PubMed: 32874814
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10070