Multicentre study on prevalence of endocrine complications in thalassaemia major

Abstract

Our study has demonstrated several points. Endocrine evaluation in thalassaemic patients must be carried out regularly, especially in those patients over the age of 10 years with iron overload and poor compliance with chelation therapy. The prevalences of some complications, such as insulin dependent diabetes and hypothyroidism, were lower than previously recorded. Hence, it is to be hoped endocrine complications will be less common in the future, for patients who have started chelation therapy during the first years of life. Because of the improved survival of thalassaemic patients with insulin dependent diabetes, and the high incidence of multiple endocrine complications, it is important to carry out careful follow-up studies for the early detection of any other associated complications to facilitate correct treatment.