The Roles of Medical Technology in Controlling of Thalassemia Syndromes in Thailand

Abstract

          Thalassemia syndromes are the genetic disorder that affect hemoglobin formation in red blood cells causing short life span of red blood cells. Thalassemic patients showed wide spectrum clinical manifestations from mild anemia, moderate anemia in which patients need receiving transfusions and chelation therapy, to the most anemia that a fetus may develop hydrops fetalis and normally die before or shortly after birth. In Thailand, the prevalence of thalssemic patients and carriers were 1% and 30-40% respectively. In addition, thalassemic patients are suffering from chronic anemia. Some cases had physiological changes or complications. In addition, thalassemic patients have to see doctors often which are costs and time-consuming that affect physical, mental, economic and social conditions. In Thailand, the control of thalassemic syndromes are two main guidelines. The first one is a clinical practice guideline to improve a quality of life of thalassemic patients. The second one is a clinical practice guidelines to reduce the incidence of new thalassemic patients. Medical technology plays an important role in controlling of Thalassemia syndromes such as diagnosis technique and new treatment technology. In the past, Thalassemia syndromes was believed to be an incurable disease, however, the advance medical technology can help to control this disease by reducing the new incidence and treating of thalassemic patients.