Levels of non-transferrin-bound iron as an index of iron overload in patients with thalassaemia intermedia.
Non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) was evaluated as an index of iron overload in a cross-sectional randomised study in 74 non-transfused patients with thalassaemia intermedia (TI). Mean NTBI (2.92 +/- 3.43 micromol/l), serum ferritin (1023 +/- 780 ng/ml) and liver iron concentration (LIC; 9.0 +/- 7.4 mg Fe/g dry weight) were increased above reference-range levels. Significant positive correlations occurred between mean NTBI and LIC (Pearson correlation 0.36; P = 0.002) and serum ferritin (Pearson correlation 0.421; P < 0.0001); with higher levels observed in splenectomised patients. NTBI assessment has potential as a simple reliable approach to determining iron status in TI.
Taher
Ali
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Haematology-Oncology Division, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon. ataher@aub.edu.lb
Musallam
Khaled M
KM
El Rassi
Fouad
F
Duca
Lorena
L
Inati
Adlette
A
Koussa
Suzane
S
Cappellini
Maria D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D013156:Splenectomy; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron