Iron Chelation Therapy (ICT) can be effective in preventing complications of iron overload associated with blood transfusion. A patient who is noncompliant may be at risk for serious complications and decreased survival.
Compliance may be measured in a number of ways, such as number of prescribed doses completed.
Factors associated with poor compliance:
(1) deferoxamine with its requirement for frequent subcutaneous or intravenous infusions
(2) adverse side effects
(3) cost
(4) adolescent age group (10 to 18 years of age)
(5) lack of understanding about risks of iron overload
(6) psychiatric disorder
(7) busy schedule
A patient receiving ICT should be monitored for compliance. A patient with poor compliance should be investigated for the cause and ways to improve compliance should be attempted.
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