Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pre-Transfusion Hemoglobin Level and Frequency of Transfusion in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients in Indonesia

Transfusion-dependent thalassemia is the most severe form of thalassemia; patients require regular blood transfusions to maintain their hemoglobin level. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine measures for controlling chronic diseases like thalassemia. This study aims measure difference in pre-transfusion levels and frequency before during pandemic. retrospective cross-sectional utilized medical record data 101 transfusion-dependent (TDT) treated Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (CMH) from 2019–2021. dependent variables this were level transfusion attendance. pre-pandemic phase was defined as 30 March 2019 29 2020, whereas during-pandemic 2020 2021. Up 59.4% subjects had suboptimal Hb <9.0 g/dL, even pandemic, increased 71.3% mean 8.71 decreased 8.46 g/dL (p value < 0.001). Transfusion attendance showed no significant (p-value = 0.990). Our shows poorer control puts at higher risk developing many long-term complications.