Sonubi O, Kotila T R
Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ann Ib Postgrad Med. 2019 Dec;17(2):153-156.
Hydroxyurea is the only cytotoxic drug approved for use in the care of sickle cell disease patients. It has been found to be effective in fixed low dose in low resource economy where the cost of the drug and frequent monitoring may be a barrier. This study looked at the knowledge, attitude and use of hydroxyurea in a low resource country with a high burden of the disease.
Data was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire in 101 consecutive adult sickle cell disease patients in a tertiary health care facility.
All the patients responded to the questionnaire, majority (67%) of the respondents were below 40years with equal numbers of male and female patients. Of the respondents, 15.5% have ≥ 3 painful crises in a year. Half of the respondents were not admitted in the preceding year with 6 (5.9%) of them having had ≥3 admissions. Less than a quarter (21.2%) had knowledge of hydroxyurea, but 52.5% were willing to use the drug while 4.3% had previously or are currently using it. Only 11 respondents were aware of the side effects and the information was mostly through their Physicians. Those willing to use the drug were also willing to attend follow-up clinic monthly.
Though the awareness about hydroxyurea is low in our group of patients, many are willing to use the medication and attend follow up clinics. There is a need to create more awareness about the drug especially by Physicians who care for the patients.
羟基脲是唯一被批准用于镰状细胞病患者治疗的细胞毒性药物。在资源匮乏的经济体中，已发现固定低剂量使用该药有效，因为药物成本和频繁监测可能是一个障碍。本研究观察了在一个疾病负担高的资源匮乏国家中，羟基脲的知识、态度和使用情况。
在一家三级医疗保健机构，对101例连续的成年镰状细胞病患者使用自填式问卷获取数据。
所有患者均对问卷做出回应，大多数（67%）受访者年龄在40岁以下，男女患者数量相等。在受访者中，15.5%的患者每年有≥3次疼痛性危机。一半的受访者在前一年未住院，其中6人（5.9%）住院≥3次。不到四分之一（21.2%）的人了解羟基脲，但52.5%的人愿意使用该药，而4.3%的人曾使用过或正在使用该药。只有11名受访者知晓副作用，且信息大多来自他们的医生。愿意使用该药的人也愿意每月参加随访门诊。
尽管我们的患者群体对羟基脲的知晓率较低，但许多人愿意使用该药物并参加随访门诊。有必要提高对该药物的认识，尤其是负责照顾患者的医生。
