International journal of medical informatics
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To build and evaluate a national network able to improve the care of thalassemia, a genetic disorder in haemoglobin synthesis often associated with iron accumulation in a variety of organs, due to the continuous blood transfusions. ⋯ The MIOT network seems to be a robust and scalable system in which T2* MRI-based cardiac and liver iron overload assessment is available, accessible and reachable for a significant and increasing number of thalassemia patients in Italy (about 420 per year), reducing the mean distance from the patient locations to the MRI sites from 951km to 387km. A solid, wide and homogeneous database will constitute an important scientific resource, shortening the time scale for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutical evidence-based research on the management of thalassemia disease.