A killer revealed: 10-year experience with beta-thalassemia intermedia

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia tend to present later in life with milder anemia than beta-thalassemia major patients. The incidence of mortality and its causes in this patient population remains unknown. We aim to reveal the incidence and most common causes of death in this population.

Methods and results: We reviewed the charts of all of the beta-thalassemia intermedia patients who had been followed at the Chronic Care Center in Hazmieh, Lebanon during a 10-year period. A total of 18 patients out of 127 had died during the follow-up period giving a cumulative 10-year mortality incidence of 14%. The most common causes of cardiac deaths were due to renal and cardiac causes.

Discussion: Most causes of death have been linked to the high levels of iron coupled with anemia present in this patient population. Many of deaths could be prevented by adequate treatment.

Conclusion: Larger studies with more comprehensive data capture on risk factors of mortality in this patient population are called for.

Keywords: Anemia; Iron overload; Mortality; beta-thalassemia intermedia.