The survival analysis of beta thalassemia major patients in South East of Iran.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the survival of beta-thalassemia major patients with transfusion, and its related factors in Southeast of Iran.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in Zahedan, Iran, in 2007. The sample included patients who were referred from all over the Zahedan Thalassemia Center from 1998 to 2006. The data were collected using the patients' records, which were recorded by the staff during transfusion. The data included demographic and medical information blood group, blood RH, the kind of transfused blood [KTB], annual number of transfusions [ANOT], accompanied diseases [AD], Hemoglobin [Hb] and ferritin level. For data analysis, the Kaplan-Meyer method, and Log Rank test together with Cox Regression were used.

RESULTS: Forty-six of 578 patients died and 99% had survived for the first year. The ages survival proportions were 5 (97.9%), 10 97%, 15 (92.1%), and 20 (81.2%) years. The survival time showed significant relationships with the ANOT p=0.0053, KTB p=0.003, Hb p=0.002 and ferritin level p=0.0087, and AD p=0.000.

CONCLUSIONS: Using regular transfusion, paying attention to screening of transfused blood, increasing the families' knowledge on the disease to prevent the bearing of thalassemia fetus, are recommended; finally, the detection and treating of the AD, are of great importance to extend the lifetime of the patients.