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Background: The prolonged survival of patients with thalassemia major as a result of the novel therapeutic strategies introduced in the last decade makes patient quality of life an important issue. This study investigated the changes occurring in overall quality of life in patients with thalassemia in the last decade.
Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional survey of quality of life in the entire population with thalassemia major resident in the Liguria region of Italy from 2001 to 2009. The self-administered Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to measure quality of life in patients with thalassemia.
Results: Forty-nine and 52 eligible patients were assessed in 2001 and 2009, respectively. A total of 43 patients were assessed in both 2001 and 2009. Almost 40% of these 43 patients received deferasirox in 2009, a drug which was not available in 2001. The distribution of ferritin levels was lower in 2009 (median 730) as compared with 2001 (median 1107). Analysis of the raw differences between the two years did not show a significant difference. An improvement was observed in most SF-36 scales in 2009 as compared with 2001, particularly in the Mental Health scale (mean difference in Z score +4.0; 95% confidence interval 0.4-7.5; P = 0.030) and in the Mental Component Summary scale (mean difference in Z score +3.2; 95% confidence interval 0.2-6.2; P = 0.039).
Conclusion: The challenge associated with new therapies and improvement in mental quality of life dimensions indicates that implementation of effective interventions for screening and evaluation of quality of life is now urgent.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S42133 | DOI Listing |
Curr Opin Ophthalmol
September 2025
Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre.
Purpose Of Review: Modern presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) offer a potential solution to address the rising postoperative demand and expectations for spectacle independence following cataract surgery. However, IOL calculation and selection becomes more complex when presented with previous corneal refractive surgery (CRS) or co-existing corneal conditions. This review explores the use of presbyopia-correcting IOLs in eyes with co-existing corneal conditions or surgically altered corneas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Heart Fail
September 2025
Cardiology Department, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Aims: There is a lack of data from randomized clinical trials comparing treatment outcomes between conduction system pacing (CSP) modalities and biventricular pacing (BVP) in symptomatic patients with refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) scheduled for atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA). The CONDUCT-AF investigates whether CSP is non-inferior to BVP in improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with symptomatic AF undergoing AVNA.
Methods: This study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, randomized, multicentre clinical trial conducted across 10 European centres, enrolling 82 patients with symptomatic AF, HF with reduced LVEF, and narrow QRS.
JMIR Res Protoc
September 2025
Department of Health Services Research & Administration, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.
Background: With the availability of more advanced and effective treatments, life expectancy has improved among patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but this makes communication with their medical oncologist more complex. Some patients struggle to learn about their therapeutic options and to understand and articulate their preferences. Mobile health (mHealth) apps can enhance patient-provider communication, playing a crucial role in the diagnosis, treatment, quality of life, and outcomes for patients living with MBC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Res Protoc
September 2025
Department of Food Science and Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Background: Fermented foods vary significantly by food substrate and regional consumption patterns. Although they are consumed worldwide, their intake and potential health benefits remain understudied. Europe, in particular, lacks specific consumption recommendations for most fermented foods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJAMA Intern Med
September 2025
Bayer CC AG, Basel, Switzerland.
Importance: There is an unmet need for long-term, safe, effective, and hormone-free treatments for menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and sleep disturbances.
Objective: To evaluate the 52-week efficacy and safety of elinzanetant, a dual neurokinin-targeted therapy, for treating moderate to severe VMS associated with menopause.
Design, Setting, And Participants: OASIS-3 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase 3 clinical trial that was conducted at 83 sites in North America and Europe from August 27, 2021, to February 12, 2024, and included postmenopausal women aged 40 to 65 years who were seeking treatment for moderate to severe VMS (no requirement for a minimum number of VMS events per week).