Iron chelation therapy in sickle cell beta thalassemia syndrome : a 2 years extension study

Abstract EN

Background : Sickle cell-beta thalassemia (HbS/β-thal) is a good example of a mixture of two types of common hereditary anemias in the Middle East and Mediterranean area, and lately throughout the world (because of continuous people movement to different parts of the globe especially western countries).Since iron Overload is blamed for most of complications encountered in these patients, it is very important tochelate them effectively and safely, and deferasirox is one of the best approved options up to date.

Objective:To find out the effects of (deferasirox) within these patients on serum ferritn, functions of liver and kidney, platelet count, and major side events.

Type of the study: Retrospective.

Methods:This is aretrospective extension study for 24 months of 23 (out of a total 52) patients suffering from sickle cell-beta thalassemia (HbS/β-thal) whom regularly attending Baghdad Hereditary Anemia Center at Ibn Al-baladi Hospital for their usual medical care.

Medical records of those patients were evaluated regarding five major arms including serum ferritin levels (measured every 3 months), liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine, platelets count, and major adverse events (all were evaluated on monthly intervals).

At the baseline, all the involved patients were ≥ 2 years old, their serum ferritin levels more than one thousand