Cutaneous Manifestations in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major
Abstract
Background
Beta-thalassemia major is a transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Both ongoing disease-related inflammatory processes and chronic transfusions lead to iron overload, which is depicted by hyperferritinemia. We aimed to report the prevalence of various dermatological manifestations in beta-thalassemia major patients and their relationship with serum ferritin levels.
Material and methods
This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of six months. Beta-thalassemia major patients were consecutively enrolled and examined by a dermatologist who charted any skin conditions, if present. A blood sample was also taken at the same time to check for the serum ferritin levels. Data was analysed using SPSSv25.
Results
A total of 113 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the cohort was 9.32 ± 4.54 years. The mean ferritin level for the cohort was 3334 ± 1676 micrograms per litre. Cutaneous manifestations were seen in 89.4% (n = 101) patients with the common ones namely xerosis (44.2%), freckles (39.8%) and pruritus (44.2%). We noted that serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in those with freckles (p = 0.00288). The cause of pruritus does not appear to be jaundice (p = 0.973). Lastly, number of skin conditions were higher in those with onset of blood transfusions at age less than one year (p = 0.0011).
Conclusion
Dermatological manifestations are a frequently encountered problem in beta-thalassemia major patients. It is important to examine these patients for various skin disorders periodically as this can help improve their quality of life and reduce dermatological-associated morbidity.
© 2023 Zunaira Zulfiqar, Ayesha Kanwal, Manahil Chaudhry, Muhammad Aadil, Sehrish Qaiser, Ayesha Malik, Mohammad Abdullah, published by Institute of Mother and Child
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.