β-Thalassemia minor & renal tubular dysfunction: is there any association?

Beta(β)-thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary hematologic disorders. Patients with thalassemia minor (TM) are often asymptomatic and the rate of renal dysfunction is unknown in these patients. Due to the high prevalence of renal dysfunction in Iran, the current study aimed to determine renal tubular dysfunction in patients with beta-TM.

In this case-control study, 40 patients with TM and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled and urinary and blood biochemical analysis was done on their samples. Renal tubular function indices were determined and compared in both groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 20.0.

The fraction excretion (FE) of uric acid was 8.31 ± 3.98% in the case and 6.2 ± 34.71% in the control group (p = 0.048). Also, FE of potassium was significantly higher in patients with TM (3.22 ± 3.13 vs. 1.91 ± 0.81; p = 0.036). The mean Plasma NGAL level was 133.78 ± 120.28 ng/mL in patients with thalassemia and 84.55 ± 45.50 ng/mL in the control group (p = 0.083). At least one parameter of tubular dysfunction was found in 45% of patients with thalassemia.

Based on the results of this study, the prevalence of tubular dysfunction in beta-thalassemia minor patients is high. Due to the lack of knowledge of patients about this disorder, periodic evaluation of renal function in TM patients can prevent renal failure by early diagnosis.