Thalassemia in Messina: A Sociological Approach to Chronic Disease

Changing the care along with improved treatment, have altered the life of thalassemia patients, one of the world’s most common genetic diseases (Thalassemia International Federation; http://www.thalassemia.org.cy). The new demography of the disease, with its widely variable phenotypes, has implications for its diagnosis, counseling, and management. Improved of the new treatment of this ancient disease is essential for optimizing survival. From June 2010 to January 2011, we interviewed 36 people with thalassemia from a primary care in Messina (Center of Genetics and Immunology). The aim of this study is to show the results of a survey conducted in this Center in Messina. This study shows the importance of influence of a multidisciplinary approach, medical, psychological and social, that addresses the changing treatment and epidemiology of thalassemia in order to ensure a better quality of life and survival. Understanding the influence of all three types of resources, medical, psychological and social, is critical for constructing ways to enhance health capability, chronic disease self-management, and health.