•  
  •  
 

Subject Area

Dermatology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background Despite the continuous improvement in the treatment of patients with thalassemia, the disease is still associated with many complications. Objectives To identify the risk factors associated with hypogonadism in thalassemia major male patients. Patients and methods A case–control study included 20 male patients with a prior diagnosis of β-thalassemia major, and 20 age-matched and sex-matched persons as control, from the Hematology Unit, Pediatric and Medicine Department, Menoufia University. Only patients who provided written consent were included in the study. A complete physical and hormonal evaluation was performed on all patients, and data regarding treatment of the hematological disease were collected. Results In all, 20 male patients were included in the study (median age: 16 years, range 14–19 years). Of the study participants 80% (16 of 20) had early forms of hypogonadism (delayed or arrested puberty). Patients with hypogonadism had significantly lower average hemoglobin levels (P = 0.042), higher levels of serum ferritin (P = 0.003), and increased age at initiation of iron chelation (P = 0.030) versus patients without hypogonadism. Conclusion Our data show that hypogonadism is highly prevalent among male patients with β-thalassemia major, and its presence is associated with higher iron overload and lower hemoglobin values, and the late start of iron chelation therapy.

Download

Share

COinS