Scientific Journal of

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Abstract Background and Objectives Iron overload especially in heart is one of the most important causes of death among patients with major thalassemia. Chelation therapy is one of the main therapeutic methods in these patients. This study was done to compare the therapeutic effects of deferoxamine (DFO) and deferiprone combination therapy with deferoxamine alone in the patients of Mazandaran, Iran. Materials and Methods In this clinical trial, major thalassemia patients with serum ferritin >3000 ng/ml were divided into two groups and matched based on age, sex, serum ferritin levels and cardiac systolic function (LVEF). First group received DFO alone and second group received combination therapy of deferiprone and deferoxamine. The patients were physically examined every month serum ferritin, mean Hb, AST, ALT, and LVEF also started to be measured 6 months prior to the study and subsequently at every visit. Data were analyzed using t-test and χ² test. Results There were fifty patients in each group in single and combination therapy groups. Duration of F/U was 28.5 ± 6.2 months. Serum ferritin levels in single and combination therapy groups were 4100 ± 1400 and 4500 ± 1700 ng/ml during 6 months before the study, respectively the levels decreased to 4600 ± 2200 and 3800 ± 1400 ng/ml at the end of treatment, respectively (p<0.05). Only 3 patients had leukopenia and 10 had nausea in combination therapy group. Conclusions The study showed that the combination therapy has a better effect on decreasing the serum level ferritin. Moreover, it can improve LVEF. Keywords: Deferoxamine, Deferiprone, Thalassemia major, Ventricular ejection fraction, Ferritins

Keywords: Deferoxamine, Deferiprone, Thalassemia major, Ventricular ejection fraction, Ferritins

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