The serum ferritin levels and liver iron concentrations in patients with alpha-thalassemia: is there a good correlation?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Liver iron overload is common in patients with thalassemia. In patients with beta-thalassemia, the correlation between serum ferritin and liver iron concentration is well established. The correlation between serum ferritin levels and liver iron concentrations in patients with alpha-thalassemia remains limited.

METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional study in patients with alpha-thalassemia aged ≥ 18 years old at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Liver iron concentration (LIC) was evaluated by the MRI-T2* technique. Linear logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between serum ferritin levels and liver iron concentrations.

RESULTS:

One hundred and thirty-one of the MRI-T2* measurements from 65 patients with alpha-thalassemia were evaluated. Patients with non-deletional alpha-thalassemia had higher LIC compared to patients with deletional alpha-thalassemia. The serum ferritin levels were relatively low at the same levels of LIC in patients with non-deletional alpha-thalassemia compared to deletional alpha-thalassemia.

CONCLUSIONS:

The correlation of serum ferritin levels and LIC was modest and different among alpha-thalassemia genotypes. A different serum ferritin threshold is needed to guide iron chelation therapy in patients with alpha-thalassemia. Evaluation of liver iron concentration is necessary for patients with alpha-thalassemia, especially in patients with non-deletional alpha-thalassemia.

• Authors: Nattiya Teawtrakul, Chittima Sirijerachai, Kanchana Chansung, Arunee Jetsrisuparb
• Journal: Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Hematology) Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pg. 473-477 (Dec 2021) ISSN: 1607-8454 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34238133 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ferritins
• Iron

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Female
• Ferritins (blood)
• Humans
• Iron (analysis)
• Liver (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Thailand (epidemiology)
• Young Adult
• alpha-Thalassemia (blood, epidemiology, pathology)