Liver iron concentration and fibrosis in a cohort of transfusion-dependent patients on long-term desferrioxamine therapy.
Secondary iron overload is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Although new, less invasive techniques are becoming available, the most acceptable and readily accessible way to assess iron overload is to measure hepatic iron by liver biopsy. In this study, we report on serial liver biopsies (at least 2) in a cohort of transfusion-dependent patients (49) on long-term desferrioxamine treatment. There was no significant change in liver iron concentrations (LIC) even in the medication-compliant patients, although there was an upward trend (not statistically significant) in the poorly compliant patients. Fibrosis was present in both HCV RNA-positive and -negative patients, but was more common in positive patients and there was also a significant relationship between fibrosis and hepatic iron concentration. Liver iron levels appear to be maintained in patients who are compliant to desferrioxamine treatment, but overall there is little evidence of significant improvement in liver iron in these patients and in the group as a whole.
Berdoukas
Vasili
V
The Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia. plomari@hol.gr
Bohane
Timothy
T
Tobias
Vivienne
V
De Silva
Keshani
K
Fraser
Ian
I
Aessopos
Athanassios
A
Lindeman
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D029503:Anemia, Diamond-Blackfan / Q000628:therapy; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000628:therapy; D001706:Biopsy; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy
D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D007501:Iron; D003676:Deferoxamine