Earlier detection of glomerular dysfunction in β-thalassemia major patients

Chronic transfusions program in β-thalassemia patients will inevitably lead to iron overload with a significant morbidity and mortality. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is progressively declined in relation to iron overload as well as chronic anemia. Objective is to define levels of Cystatin C in transfusion dependent β-thalassemia major patients as a sensitive marker for detection of earlier glomerular dysfunction in addition to understand the effect of iron overload, chelating therapy and hepatitis infection. A cross sectional study conducted at Al-Basrah Hemoglobinopathy Centre for the period from September 2017 to January 2018 to enroll 75 β-thalassemia major patients. Data collected included duration of the disease, total transfusion requirement, details of chelation therapy and its therapeutic index. In addition to blood urea, serum creatinine and Cystatin C with estimated GFR (eGFR). The mean Cystatin C was 1.075 mg/L where 66.6% of patients had abnormal renal function which is higher proportion than those with renal (42.6%) detected according to serum creatinine level Cystatin C was significantly higher in patients who received desferrioxamine as compared to those received deferasirox (P=0.007), in accordance with GFR which is significantly higher in patients receiving the latter chelation therapy (P=0.009). A significant inverse relationship between Cystatin C, and GFR, while positive relationship between ferritin and Cystatin C (P=0.0001, 0.001 respectively). Cyctatin C is better for detection and monitoring of glomerular dysfunction in B thalassemia major patient which is already not uncommon complications for the disease and iron chelation therapy.