Association of serum ferritin trends with liver enzyme patterns in ß-thalassemia major: A longitudinal correlational study.
J Family Med Prim Care
; 13(7): 2698-2702, 2024 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39070990
ABSTRACT
Background:
ß-Thalassemia major patients require lifelong blood transfusions, leading to iron overload and liver injury. This study examines the longitudinal association between serum ferritin and liver function over 5 years in pediatric patients.Methods:
This retrospective study included 582 transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients aged 1-18 years. Serum ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and albumin were measured annually. Correlation and linear regression analyses assessed associations between ferritin trajectories and liver enzymes.Results:
Mean ferritin rose from 1820 ± 960 ng/mL at baseline to 4500 ± 1900 ng/mL at year 5, indicating worsening iron overload. AST and ALT levels also steadily climbed over follow-up, whereas albumin declined slightly. Ferritin correlated positively with AST (r = 0.675, P < 0.01) and ALT (r = 0.607, P < 0.01), but not with albumin (r = -0.143, P = 0.153) annually. The regression interaction term showed within-patient ferritin increases over time were independently associated with escalating AST and ALT (P < 0.05), after adjusting for confounders.Conclusion:
Rising ferritin levels predict progressive liver injury in regularly transfused pediatric thalassemia patients. Tighter control of iron overload may help preserve hepatic function.
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1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Family Med Prim Care
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
India
Pais de publicación:
India