22.Comparison of Efficacy of Different Chelation Therapies in Thalassemia Major Patients
Mukhtar Ahmad, Asma Akbar and Kiran Kanwal
ABSTRACT
Objective:This study was aimed to compare the efficacy of different chelation therapies in thalassemia major patients.
Study Design: Observational / prospective cohort.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Thalassemia Department of Dera Ghazi Khan Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan from March 2018 to March 2019. Materials and Methods: A total of sixty patients with Beta-thalassemia were enrolled. Out of the total, 30 of the patients were given oral iron chelatori.e. Deferiprone and put them in group I whereas the other remaining 30 were grouped into group II and given the injectable iron chelator i.e. deferoxamine. Patients with any renal or respiratory diseases or those who were using antibiotics for longer durations were excluded.
Results: The average age amongst all the patients was 19.6 ±5.5 years. Out of the total patients, 32 (53.3%) were male and 28 (46.7%) female. The average ferritin (ng/ml) among all the patients was 2600+1190.5 while 2455+1134 and 2745+1245 in group I and group II respectively (P value= 0.322). In terms of complications, Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)was reported as 17.5%, diabetes mellitus (DM) 6.9%, hypothyroidism clinical and subclinical 18.05% and 26.45% respectively among all the Beta-thalassemia patients.
Conclusion: Both the therapies are equally effective in controlling the iron overload in beta-thalassemia patients.
Key Words: Hemoglobinopathy, Beta-thalassemia, iron chelators, Deferiprone
Citation of articles: Ahmad M, Akbar A, Kanwal K. Comparison of Efficacy of Different Chelation Therapies in Thalassemia Major Patients. Med Forum 2019;30(4):96-98.