Document Type
Article
Department
Pathology and Microbiology
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and adverse effects of deferiprone in patients with Thalassemia Major.
METHODS: A prospective case series study was conducted at the Fatimid Foundation Blood Bank and Haematological Diseases center Lahore. A total of 87 patients entered into the study between September 2005 and November 2006. Deferiprone was given at subsidized rates at a dose of 75/mg/day for seven days. Physical examination and initial Laboratory investigations were done in all patients at the start of the study. Physical and laboratory data were filled on a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 10.0.
RESULTS: Eighty seven patients with mean age of 10.0 +/- 4.33 years (range 4-27 years) were included in the study. Mean follow up was 8 +/- 3.94 months (range 2-12 months). The mean Ferritin at the start of study was 4656 +/- 2052.5 ug/L (range 1200-14630 ug/L) and at the end of study period was 4139 +/- 1710.4 ug/L (range 749-8961) (p < 0.001). Adverse events were joint pains in 10% patients, gastrointestinal symptoms in 11% and no adverse events in 79% patients. There was no evidence of agranulocytosis in any patient.
CONCLUSION: Deferiprone was well tolerated, had few adverse effects and was effective in lowering the patient's serum ferritin level.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
Recommended Citation
Sajid, R.,
Ghani, F.,
Adil, S.,
Khurshid, M.
(2009). Oral iron chelation therapy with deferiprone in patients with Thalassemia Major. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 59(6), 388-90.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_pathol_microbiol/37