Bahar Moassesghafari, Siamak Derakhshan, Borhan Moradvaisi, Farima Zakaryaei, Mohammad Aziz Rasouli,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (7-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Patients with beta-thalassemia need frequent blood transfusions and bone disorders are common in these patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in these patients.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, seventy-nine patients, with intermediate and major thalassemia who had referred for bone mineral densitometry to Kowsar Hospital in Sanandaj in 2021, were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A including 20 patients (9 males, 11 females) who were less than 20 years of age, and group B including 59 patients (32 males and 27 females) that were equal to or older than 20 years old. In both groups, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method. Total body less head (TBLH) and lumbar spine BMDs were measured in group A. In group B, total hip, femoral neck and lumbar spine BMDs were measured.
Results: In 55.7 % of the patients, the Z-score was below the expected range for the age. Prevalence of the abnormal Z-score in the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (P value=0.942). Gender and history of fracture showed no statistically significant relationship with abnormal Z-score (P values 0.069 and 0.066, respectively). The mean lumbar spine Z-score in group A was lower (-1.7±1.5) than that in group B (-1.6±1.2) but the difference was not statistically significant (P value= 0.639). The mean lumbar spine Z-score was lower than the mean Z-score of TBLH (0.7±1.7) in group-A patients. Likewise, in group B patients, the mean lumbar spine Z-score was lower than the mean Z-scores of total hip (-0.9±1.0) and femoral neck (-0.5±1.0).
Conclusions: Low bone mineral density was common in the thalassemia patients. Measurement of lumbar spine BMD was more reliable than TBLH, total hip and femoral neck BMDs for evaluation of bone mass in these patients.
