Evaluation of conventional renal function tests in β-thalassemia major patients in Nineveh province

Abstract

β-thalassemia is an inherited anemia, caused by impaired β-globin chain synthesis. The disease leads to serious health problems unless treated by regular blood transfusion and iron chelating therapy. However, complications from continuous therapy may arise due to iron overload and toxicity of iron chelating therapy, it may affects many organs in the body including the renal system. The present study was directed to study the changes in conventional renal function tests that may occur in β-thalassemia patients. The present study consisted of two groups of β-thalassemia patients; group A, 40 transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients receiving only regular blood transfusion, age ranged 1-4 years; Group B, 40 transfusion dependent β- thalassemia patients receiving regular blood transfusion and deferroxamine chelation therapy, age ranged 4-20 years old. In addition to a control group C, 40 subjects, age ranged 1-20 years. Blood samples were collected and serum was separated for measurement of creatinine, urea, and ferritin. Urine samples were also collected for measurement of microalbuminuria. There was a significant decrease in serum creatinine, and a significant increase in serum urea in group B when compared with their control (P≤0.01). In addition, there was a significant increase in serum ferritin in groups A and B when compared with their controls (P≤0.01). On the other hand, there were no significant changes in microalbuminuria between groups A and B when compared with their controls. The results of the present study showed no deterioration in renal functions in β-thalassemia patients in both groups A and B regarding serum creatinine and urea in addition to microalbuminuria, although, subclinical alteration in renal functions could be expected in those patients, so that measurement of other early markers of renal dysfunction is occasionally recommended.