Ethics code: (IR.YUMS.REC.1404.116)
Abstract: (7 Views)
A B S T R A C T
Background and Objectives
Patients with beta-thalassemia major are at risk of sensorineural hearing impairment due to iron deposition in the auditory system from chronic blood transfusions. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between serum ferritin levels and age with hearing disorders in patients with beta thalassemia major in Yasuj, Iran.
Materials and Methods
In this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, 96 patients with beta-thalassemia major in Yasuj were evaluated during the years 2024-2025. Demographic information, laboratory results, and audiometry data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS with appropriate tests, including the independent t-test, chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 25.27 ± 9.25 years. Hearing disorders was present in 10.42% (n=10) of patients. Among the 10 patients with hearing disorders, 90% (n=9) had sensorineural hearing loss, and 10% (n=1) had mixed-type hearing loss. Regarding severity, 50% (n=5) had mild, 10% (n=1) moderate and 40% (n=4) severe impairment. A total of 51% of the patients were concurrently using both deferoxamine and deferasirox. A significant association was found between increased age and hearing disorders (p= 0.04). However, no significant association was observed between hearing disorders and serum ferritin levels (P-value = 0.44).
Conclusions
The significant association between increased age and hearing impairment carries a clear clinical message, older patients with thalassemia major represent a high-risk group for hearing disorders. This finding underscores the necessity of implementing a structured, lifelong audiological monitoring protocol, with increased screening, frequency in older patients to enable early defection and intervention.
Background and Objectives
Patients with beta-thalassemia major are at risk of sensorineural hearing impairment due to iron deposition in the auditory system from chronic blood transfusions. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between serum ferritin levels and age with hearing disorders in patients with beta thalassemia major in Yasuj, Iran.
Materials and Methods
In this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, 96 patients with beta-thalassemia major in Yasuj were evaluated during the years 2024-2025. Demographic information, laboratory results, and audiometry data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS with appropriate tests, including the independent t-test, chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 25.27 ± 9.25 years. Hearing disorders was present in 10.42% (n=10) of patients. Among the 10 patients with hearing disorders, 90% (n=9) had sensorineural hearing loss, and 10% (n=1) had mixed-type hearing loss. Regarding severity, 50% (n=5) had mild, 10% (n=1) moderate and 40% (n=4) severe impairment. A total of 51% of the patients were concurrently using both deferoxamine and deferasirox. A significant association was found between increased age and hearing disorders (p= 0.04). However, no significant association was observed between hearing disorders and serum ferritin levels (P-value = 0.44).
Conclusions
The significant association between increased age and hearing impairment carries a clear clinical message, older patients with thalassemia major represent a high-risk group for hearing disorders. This finding underscores the necessity of implementing a structured, lifelong audiological monitoring protocol, with increased screening, frequency in older patients to enable early defection and intervention.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Hematology
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