TY - JOUR
T1 - Development of a new disease severity scoring system for patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia
AU - Cappellini, M. Domenica
AU - Porter, John B.
AU - Musallam, Khaled M.
AU - Kattamis, Antonis
AU - Viprakasit, Vip
AU - Galanello, Renzo
AU - Taher, Ali T.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Background: Patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) present with a spectrum of disease severities. Since there are multiple pathophysiologies in such patients, tailoring treatment remains essential. Therefore, one simple, reliable tool would be beneficial to assess disease severity and tailor therapy, particularly for internal medicine specialists who may treat a variety of NTDT patients with a multitude of complications. This would allow for standardization of assessments leading to timely interventions and prevention of complications. Methods: A working group of NTDT experts was formed to develop a new disease severity scoring system for adult and pediatric patients with NTDT, based on parameters considered to be most pertinent in defining disease severity. Results: 20 parameters were selected for inclusion in the disease severity scoring system. An additional six parameters, largely related to growth and development, were selected specifically for pediatric patients (≤. 16. years of age). Consensus of expert opinion was used to establish the selected methods of assessment for each parameter, based on feasibility and availability of technology, cost containment, and avoidance of patient risk. Conclusion: We propose that this new disease severity scoring system for adult and pediatric NTDT patients could be developed into a practical tool for widespread clinical use.
AB - Background: Patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) present with a spectrum of disease severities. Since there are multiple pathophysiologies in such patients, tailoring treatment remains essential. Therefore, one simple, reliable tool would be beneficial to assess disease severity and tailor therapy, particularly for internal medicine specialists who may treat a variety of NTDT patients with a multitude of complications. This would allow for standardization of assessments leading to timely interventions and prevention of complications. Methods: A working group of NTDT experts was formed to develop a new disease severity scoring system for adult and pediatric patients with NTDT, based on parameters considered to be most pertinent in defining disease severity. Results: 20 parameters were selected for inclusion in the disease severity scoring system. An additional six parameters, largely related to growth and development, were selected specifically for pediatric patients (≤. 16. years of age). Consensus of expert opinion was used to establish the selected methods of assessment for each parameter, based on feasibility and availability of technology, cost containment, and avoidance of patient risk. Conclusion: We propose that this new disease severity scoring system for adult and pediatric NTDT patients could be developed into a practical tool for widespread clinical use.
KW - Disease severity
KW - Non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia
KW - Scoring
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ejim.2015.10.003
DO - 10.1016/j.ejim.2015.10.003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84953282116
VL - 28
JO - European Journal of Internal Medicine
JF - European Journal of Internal Medicine
SN - 0953-6205
ER -