Thalassaemia: An emerging complication

Pain is an “emerging complication” for thalassaemia patients, particularly for older patients. As people with thalassaemia get older, they experience more pain, according to Dr. Paul Telfer, Paediatric Haematology Consultant at Barts Health NHS Trust, UK.

Dr Telfer cited a study conducted in the UK to illustrate his point.

“Among patients over 35 years of age, 50 per cent or more said that they experience pain that affects their quality of life… (while) the younger patients were not as much,” he said.

The study noted that 80 per cent of the patients experienced pain in the lower back. Other complaints include headaches and pain in the hips, arms, abdomen and chest.

Dr. Telfer was speaking at the 13^th edition of the Thalassaemia World Congress and the TIF (Thalassaemia International Federation) Conference 2013, held in Abu Dhabi for the first time under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Thalassaemia is a hereditary blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, resulting in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anaemia.

According to Dr Telfer, the cause of back pain is not entirely clear although this is “probably related to chronic iron overload”.

Different forms of treatment available for thalassaemia patients include psychological therapies, specifically cognitive behaviour therapy; exercise and fitness; complementary therapies such as acupuncture and massage; and pain medications.

He also suggested getting help from rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons, and a possible disk replacement for chronic back pain.

Despite pain being common among thalassaemia patients, it is not, however, the main factor affecting their quality of life, according to Dr Telfer.

“There are other things like physical functioning, social functioning and emotional (soundness),” he pointed out.

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