title: Prevalence of endocrine complications in beta-thalassaemia major in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
abstract: To identify the prevalence of endocrine dysfunction in Iranians with beta-thalassaemia, we assessed thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic and adrenal function in 150 beta-thalassaemic patients aged 10-22 years at the Paediatrics Unit, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Primary hypothyroidism was found in 6.0% of patients (mean age: 14.6 +/- 1.9 years), hypoparathyroidism in 7.3% (14.5 +/- 3.2 years), type 1 diabetes mellitus in 7.3% (13.9 +/- 2.8 years) and adrenal insufficiency in 1 patient. The relatively high frequency of endocrine dysfunction found in our study may be a result of poor disease control and management in early life when irreversible tissue damage occurs due to iron overload. These findings reinforce the importance of regular follow-up of patients with beta-thalassaemia major for early detection and management of associated complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karamifar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahriari
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sadjadian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D005293:Ferritins; D003676:Deferoxamine