ABSTRACT
Objective There is a high occurrence rate of thalassaemia in Guangdong Province .Major and intermedia thalas-saemia bring severe burden for patients , families, and societies.This study aimed to reveal the economic burden of thalassaemia major and intermedia thalassaemia in Guangdong Province . Methods Eight areas of Guangdong Province were selected as the sampling ar-eas.Patients with major or intermedia thalassaemia were enrolled in the study .The patients′economic burden of this disease , inclu-ding direct economic burden , indirect economic burden and intangible economic burden was calcultated .The direct economic burden was estimated by outpatient fee , hospitalization expense , nutrition and transportation fees , indirect economic burden was evaluated u-sing disability adjusted life years ( DALY) combined with human capital , and intangible economic burden was calculated using method of willingness. Results Per average annual direct economic burden of 45 patients with major or intermedia thalassaemia was 43 058.66 yuan, per average annual indirect economic burden was 20 474.51 yuan, and per person intangible economic burden was 302 466.67 yuan. Conclusion Economic burden of major and intermedia thalassaemia is huge and most patients do not receive standardized treatment .More effective way should be taken to reduce the economic burden of thalassaemia and help the patients to re -ceive standardized treatment .