Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major

Objective. To assess body composition in adult male and female patients with thalassemia major by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to compare the findings with a group of healthy age-matched controls. Methods. Our study group included sixty-two patients (27 males, mean age 36 years, and 35...

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Main Authors: Marianna Vlychou, Evangelos Alexiou, Paschalis Thriskos, Ioannis Fezoulidis, Katerina Vassiou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:International Journal of Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/6218437
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author Marianna Vlychou
Evangelos Alexiou
Paschalis Thriskos
Ioannis Fezoulidis
Katerina Vassiou
author_facet Marianna Vlychou
Evangelos Alexiou
Paschalis Thriskos
Ioannis Fezoulidis
Katerina Vassiou
author_sort Marianna Vlychou
collection DOAJ
description Objective. To assess body composition in adult male and female patients with thalassemia major by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to compare the findings with a group of healthy age-matched controls. Methods. Our study group included sixty-two patients (27 males, mean age 36 years, and 35 females, mean age 36.4 years) and fifteen age-matched healthy controls. All patients had an established diagnosis of thalassemia major and followed a regular blood transfusion scheme since childhood and chelation treatment. Fat, lean, and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ferritin levels and body mass index of all patients and controls were also recorded. Student t-test and Wilcoxon test were performed and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results. BMD and whole body lean mass are lower in both male and female adult patients compared with controls (p<0.01 in both groups), whereas whole body fat mass was found to have no statistically significant difference compared to controls. Regional trunk fat around the abdomen was found to be lower in male patients compared to controls (p=0.02). Conclusion. Severe bone loss and diminished lean mass are expected in adult male and female patients with thalassemia major. Fat changes seem to affect mainly male patients.
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institution Kabale University
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series International Journal of Endocrinology
spelling doaj-art-0c3844128bfa405c80bbf0ea390680132025-02-03T05:59:20ZengWileyInternational Journal of Endocrinology1687-83371687-83452016-01-01201610.1155/2016/62184376218437Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia MajorMarianna Vlychou0Evangelos Alexiou1Paschalis Thriskos2Ioannis Fezoulidis3Katerina Vassiou4Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceObjective. To assess body composition in adult male and female patients with thalassemia major by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to compare the findings with a group of healthy age-matched controls. Methods. Our study group included sixty-two patients (27 males, mean age 36 years, and 35 females, mean age 36.4 years) and fifteen age-matched healthy controls. All patients had an established diagnosis of thalassemia major and followed a regular blood transfusion scheme since childhood and chelation treatment. Fat, lean, and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ferritin levels and body mass index of all patients and controls were also recorded. Student t-test and Wilcoxon test were performed and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results. BMD and whole body lean mass are lower in both male and female adult patients compared with controls (p<0.01 in both groups), whereas whole body fat mass was found to have no statistically significant difference compared to controls. Regional trunk fat around the abdomen was found to be lower in male patients compared to controls (p=0.02). Conclusion. Severe bone loss and diminished lean mass are expected in adult male and female patients with thalassemia major. Fat changes seem to affect mainly male patients.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/6218437
spellingShingle Marianna Vlychou
Evangelos Alexiou
Paschalis Thriskos
Ioannis Fezoulidis
Katerina Vassiou
Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major
International Journal of Endocrinology
title Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major
title_full Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major
title_fullStr Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major
title_full_unstemmed Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major
title_short Body Composition in Adult Patients with Thalassemia Major
title_sort body composition in adult patients with thalassemia major
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/6218437
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AT paschalisthriskos bodycompositioninadultpatientswiththalassemiamajor
AT ioannisfezoulidis bodycompositioninadultpatientswiththalassemiamajor
AT katerinavassiou bodycompositioninadultpatientswiththalassemiamajor