Incidence of haemoglobinopathies in Sicily: the impact of screening and prenatal diagnosis. Issue 10 (27th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giambona, A.; Damiani, G.; Vinciguerra, M.; Jakil, C.; Cannata, M.; Cassarà, F.; Picciotto, F.; Schillaci, G.; Cigna, V.; Renda, D.; Leto, F.; Passarello, C.; Maggio, A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of clinical practice. Volume 69:Issue 10(2015)
• Page Start: 1129
• Page End: 1138
• Publication Date: 2015-02-27
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.12628
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-5031

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ijcp12628-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="ijcp12628-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Haemoglobinopathies are a major public health problem in Sicily: it was estimated a frequency of 1/245 couples are at risk of haemoglobinopathies. This paper reviews legislative actions, prevention activities, carrier screening, genetic counselling, foetal sampling and laboratory methodology analysis evolution reporting the results of 30 years of prevention actions to assess the efficiency of our preventative programme in the control of haemoglobinopathies in Sicily.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijcp12628-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>This programme consisted principally of five phases: legislative actions, public awareness campaign, carrier screening, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijcp12628-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>These programmes have been very effective, which we can see from a greater public awareness of thalassaemia and its prevention in the target population furthermore by a marked decline in the incidence of thalassaemia major and sickle cell anaemia from 1 in 245 live births in the absence of prevention to 1 in 2000, with a reduction in about 85%. The residual cases were because of a conscious choice by expecting parents in relation to improved life expectancy as well as improved quality of life of the affected patients.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijcp12628-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The study suggests that public health authorities should act and invest in a similar programme for prevention of thalassaemia, as well as in relation to the increased survival of patients and the consequent organ complications.</p> </sec> </abstract>