Publication: Economic burden of beta-thalassemia/Hb e and beta-thalassemia major in Thai children
Issued Date
2010-03-23
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17560500
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2-s2.0-77949493576
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Research Notes. Vol.3, (2010)
Suggested Citation
Arthorn Riewpaiboon, Issarang Nuchprayoon, Kitti Torcharus, Kaemthong Indaratna, Montarat Thavorncharoensap, Bang On Ubol Economic burden of beta-thalassemia/Hb e and beta-thalassemia major in Thai children. BMC Research Notes. Vol.3, (2010). doi:10.1186/1756-0500-3-29 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/28755
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Title
Economic burden of beta-thalassemia/Hb e and beta-thalassemia major in Thai children
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Abstract
Background. Hemoglobin E beta-thalassemia (-thalassemia/Hb E) has a variable severity, and the cost of treatment has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the societal cost of caring for children with -thalassemias in Thailand. The study was designed as a prevalence-based cost-of-illness analysis in a societal perspective. Medical records from three public hospitals of children aged 2-18 years with -thalassemia/Hb E and homozygous -thalassemia were reviewed for direct medical cost determination. For direct non-medical cost and indirect cost, a family member was interviewed. Findings. It was found that 201 patients with -thalassemia/Hb E (91%) and homozygous -thalassemia (9%) were recruited for this study. Ninety-two (46%) were severe thalassemia and 109 (54%) were mild to moderate severity. The annual average cost of treatment was US$950; 59% was direct medical cost, 17% direct non-medical cost, and 24% indirect cost. The costs were differentiated by some potential predictors. Significant predictor variables were: Hospital, health insurance scheme, blood transfusion pattern, and iron chelation drug use. Conclusions. The average annual cost per patient was calculated, and the cost model was estimated. These would be applied for national planning, economic evaluation of treatment and prevention interventions, and budget impact analysis. © 2010 Riewpaiboon et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.