Scientific Journal of

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Prevalence of HCV among thalassemia patients in Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Karaj Kashanchi Langarodi M.1, Abdolrahim Poorheravi H.2 1Alborz University of Medical Science and Health Services, Karaj, Iran 2General Physician Abstract Background and Objectives Although recent screening policies have markedly decreased the incidence of HCV infection in transfusion dependent thalassemia paitients, this problem is still one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in thalassemic patients. Materials and Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 thalassemia patients referred to the Shahid Bahonar Hospital during 2009-2010 .Serum specimens were tested with anti –HCV assay and RIBA –II technique to asses HCV infection. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS18 (χ2 and T-test). Results The overall prevalence rate of anti-HCV was 15% )11 male, 20 female). Moreover 29 anti-HCV positive patients were RIBA –II positive(11 male, 18 female). All HCV affected patients but one had received their first transfusion before 1996 when HCV screening had became mandatory. Conclusions HCV infection rate compared with the general population is higher in multi transfused thalassemia patients. Out of HCV infected thalassemias, 80% are at risk of developing chronic liver diseases and fibrosis thus preventive measures such as blood donor screening for anti-HCV and stringent infection control procedures are crucial steps to be implemented for HCV prevention. Key words: Hepatitis C, Thalassemia, Hepatitis C Antibodies Sci J Iran Blood Transfus Org 2011 8(2): 137-142 Received: 26 Oct 2010 Accepted: 7 Feb 2011 Correspondence: Kashanchi Langarodi M., MD. Pediatrician, Alborz University of Medical Science and Health Services, Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Chaloos street. Postal Code: 3154686695, Karaj, Iran. Tel: (+98261)2500123 Fax: (+98261)2509255 E-mail: Mojgan.kashanchi@yahoo.com

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  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Major thalassemia is the most common hereditary anemia in Iran. The treatment of the disease is regular blood transfusion which in turn can cause side effects. This study tries to determine the prevalence of diabetes, thyroid and parathyroid diseases in thalassemia patients for the purpose of early diagnosis and treatment.

 

 Materials and Methods

 This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 thalassemia patients having been referred to Shahid Bahonar Hospital during April 2009 to April 2010. Test results for laboratory parameters of FBS, T4, TSH, Ca, P, PTH and Ferritin were extracted from patients’ medical records.

 

 Results

 Out of 206 patients, 90 (43.7%) were male and 116 (56.3%) female, with a mean ± SD age of 19.64±7.06 years. Out of the total number, 186 patients were tested for fast blood glucose 23 patients (12.37%) were pre-diabetes and 19 (10.22%) had diabetes mellitus. Out of 184 patients tested for thyroid function, 38 patients (14 male, 24 female) (20.65%) had abnormal thyroid test results and 35 were suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism and 3 from clinical hypothyroidism. One (1%) out of 96 patients who were checked for PTH was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism.

 

 Conclusions

 Endocrine disease is common in multi-transfused thalassemia patients, and preventive measures such as endocrine tests and other control measures are crucial.