Pulmonary function tests in thalassemic patients

Abstract EN

Spirometers and body plethsmography were done for forty thalassemic patients (27 male & 13 females) attending the Thalassemia Center of Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital and 38 age and sex matched control subjects.

Measured indices include forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (REFR), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the ratio of FEV1 / FVC, forced expiratory flow at 25 %-75 % of FVC, residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity (TLC).

Normal lung function was found in 60 % of thalassemic patients, while abnormal lungfunction was seen in 40% compared to 7.5 %in the control group.

Restrictive pulmonary disease was the predominant abnormality and it was detected in 32.5 %, while obstructive pulmonary disease was found in 7.5 %.

From this study we conclude pulmonary abnormalities mainly restrictive pattern are frequent in thalassemic patients.