title: beta-thalassemia and gonadal axis: a cross-sectional, clinical study in a Greek population.
abstract: beta-thalassemia (beta-thal) is characterized by disturbances of the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was: 1) to assess the hypothalamic- pituitary-gonadal axis in patients with beta-thal in relation to their phenotype and 2) to determine prognostic features of current gonadal status. We studied 135 patients (67 males and 68 females) with beta-thal through history, physical examination, spermiograms and GnRH test. These patients were divided into beta-thal major (51 males and 62 females) and beta-thal intermedia phenotypes (16 males and 6 females). Male patients with beta-thal major were subdivided into three groups a) eugonadal (35%, Tanner's stage V, normal testicular volume, normal spermiograms, normal basal and stimulated hormone values), b) patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) of late onset (24%, Tanner's stage II-V, low-normal testicular volume, abnormal spermiograms, normal basal gonadotrophin values and abnormal response to GnRH test) and c) patients with HH of early onset (41%, Tanner's stage I, small testicular volume, abnormal spermiograms, abnormal basal and stimulated hormone values). Female patients with beta-thal major were subdivided into: a) eugonadal (32%, Tanner's stage V, regular menstruation, normal basal and stimulated hormone values), b) patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) of late onset (34%, Tanner's stage II-V, secondary amenorrhea, subnormal basal and stimulated gonadotrophin values) and c) patients with HH of early onset (34%, Tanner's stage I, primary amenorrhea, subnormal basal and stimulated hormone values). Patients with beta-thal intermedia were subdivided into eugonadal (75% of males, 33% of females) and hypogonadal (25% of males, 67% of females). Current gonadal status could not be predicted by means of transfusion or chelation parameters. In conclusion, beta-thal patients could be eugonadal or develop early or late onset HH. trade mark-thal intermedia patients have a more favorable profile than beta-thal major individuals. Current gonadal status of beta-thal patients cannot be predicted by means of history, clinical or laboratory parameters.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hippocration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Papadimas
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Goulis
authors.forename: Eudokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mandala
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georgiadis
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zournatzi
authors.forename: Basil C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Tarlatzis
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bontis