title: Comparison of oral and subcutaneous iron chelation therapies in the prevention of major endocrinopathies in beta-thalassemia major patients.
abstract: While hypertransfusion and subcutaneous iron chelation therapy have increased longevity of patients with beta-thalassemia (thal) major, endocrinopathies have become more common and impair the quality of their lives. Additionally, subcutaneous iron chelation therapy is an uncomfortable experience and can prevent patients from regular compliance with iron chelation therapy. We compared the efficacy of oral deferiprone (L1) to subcutaneous desferrioxamine (DFO) chelation therapy for the prevention of major endocrinopathies (growth hormone insufficiency, diabetes mellitus and gonadal dysfunction) among patients with beta-thal major to see if we could offer these patients an easier and more painless way to reduce their body iron load and related endocrine complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Hsing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kang-Hsi
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Fuu-Jen
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ching-Tien
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Chang-Hai
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015913:Chelation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004393:Dwarfism, Pituitary / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011728:Pyridones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D011728:Pyridones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine