β-Thalassemia Intermedia in Northern Iraq: A Single Center Experience

Table 3

A comparison between some parameters and treatment options in the current study and the optimal care study [22].

Parameter	Optimal care study	Current study
Age (yr)
<18	29.5	55.4
18–35	49.3	39.2
>35	21.2	5.4
Male : female	1 : 1	1 : 1.1
Serum ferritin 𝜇g/L
<1000	64.4	67.6
1000–2500	30.6	27.0
>2500	5	5.4
Treatment
Hydroxyurea	34.6	2.7
Occasional transfusion (0–3/yr)	24.5	83.8
Regular transfusion (>3/y)	51.7	16.2
Iron chelation (>1 year)	47.5	14.9
Splenectomized	55.7	23.0