An Evaluation of Bone Health Parameters in Regularly Transfused Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine and correlate bone mineral density (BMD) with biochemical and hematologic parameters, including serum calcium levels, in regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients.
Results Summary
The study found a statistically significant correlation between BMD and serum calcium levels, suggesting that calcium supplementation may help maintain bone health in these patients. Suboptimal BMD was prevalent (86% at lumbar spine, 74% at femur neck), highlighting potential deficiencies.
Population
Regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age (n=50).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
regular blood transfusions | neutral | biochemical and hematologic parameters | beta-thalassemia major patients | - | occurrence of related bone defects with simultaneous fluctuations | #1 |
- | decrease | bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age | 86% | prevalence of suboptimal BMD | #2 |
- | decrease | bone mineral density (BMD) at femur neck | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age | 74% | prevalence of suboptimal BMD | #3 |
- | neutral | bone mineral density (BMD) | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age | P<0.05 | statistically significant correlation | #4 |
- | neutral | mean pretransfusion hemoglobin values | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age | P<0.05 | statistically significant correlation | #5 |
- | neutral | serum calcium levels | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age | P<0.05 | statistically significant correlation | #6 |
- | neutral | serum vitamin D levels | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients older than 6 years of age | P<0.05 | statistically significant correlation | #7 |
supplementation of calcium, vitamin D | increase | bone health | regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients | - | help maintain good bone health | #8 |
As beta-thalassemia major patients need regular blood transfusions due to the severe hemoglobin deficiency, the occurrence of related bone defects with simultaneous fluctuations in the biochemical and hematologic parameters is seen. The hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was done to determine and correlate the bone mineral density (BMD) with biochemical parameters and hematologic parameters in 50 regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients of older than 6 years of age. Descriptive statistics were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0 software. A P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The prevalence of suboptimal BMD at lumbar spine was 86% and at femur neck was 74%. A statistically significant correlation of BMD was found with mean pretransfusion hemoglobin values, serum calcium levels, and serum vitamin D levels (P<0.05). It was concluded that continuous monitoring of the BMD, biochemical, and hematologic parameters in regularly transfused beta-thalassemia major patients may help assess the ongoing deficiencies; helping to maintain timely and regular blood transfusions with supplementation of calcium, vitamin D to ensure good bone health.