Beta-Thalassaemia Intermedia: Evaluation of Endocrine and Bone Complications

Table 1

Characteristics of the population.

Parameter	Values
Male (number (%))	37/70 (53)
Female (number (%))	33/70 (47)
Age (years ± SD)	41 ± 12
Hb (g/dL ± SD)	9.2 ± 1.5
Ferritin (ng/mL (range))	537* (14–4893)
LIC (mg Fe/g dw ± SD)	7.6 ± 6.4
Anti-HCV positive (number (%))	11/70 (16)
HCV-RNA positive (number (%))	6/11 (55)
Splenectomy (number (%))	34/70 (49)
Transfusion therapy (number (%))
Never	37/70 (53)
Occasionally	24/70 (34)
Regularly	9/70 (13)
Chelation therapy (number (%))	39/70 (56)
Hydroxyurea therapy (number (%))	11/70 (16)
Hormone replacement therapy (number (%))	2/70 (3)
Levothyroxine therapy (number (%))	5/70 (7)
Bisphosphonate (number (%))	4/70 (6)
Calcium + vitamin D (number (%))	5/70 (7)
Calcium alone (number (%))	2/70 (3)
Vitamin D alone (number (%))	16/70 (23)

∗median and range.