PB2414 AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK AMONG THALASSEMIA PATIENTS

Abstract

Background:Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of morbidity and mortality for thalassemia major (TM) patients but also for the general population in industrialized countries. Different studies revealed broad misconceptions with regard to the leading cause of death and impact of heart disease among the general population.Aims:We evaluated for the first time knowledge and awareness of CVD among TM patients in Italy.Methods:An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 44 TM patients (25 females, 39.95 ± 6.89 years) consecutively enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia (MIOT) Network.Results:Table 1 shows the answers to the first part of the questionnaire.The first two questions were multiple‐choice questions. The 74.4% of TM patients defined cancer (in general, breast/prostate or hepatic) as the greatest health problem for people of the same age. Out of the 13 patients with a CVD, only two defined CVD as the greatest health problem.The 44,1% of patients indicated cancer as the greatest danger to their future health.The other questions were yes/no questions. The 80.5% of TM patients thought that CVD was the leading cause of death in Italy. The percentage of patients who answered positively to this question was no significantly different among those with CVD than those without CVD. The 41.7% of patients who considered CVD to be the main cause of death named CVD as the greatest health problem.Summary/Conclusion:Although TM patients are aware that CVD is the leading cause of death, they seem to have a misperception of the impact of CVD on their personal current and future health status. Our data highlight the need to empower knowledge and perception of CVD in TM as a real health problem and not just as a potentially lethal threat.image