Venous thromboembolism risk assessment among beta-thalassemia patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic (TE) disorders are among the most common complications of beta-thalassemia. We designed this cross-sectional study to investigate the state of hypercoagulability and platelet activation in patients with beta-thalassemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients diagnosed with beta-thalassemia by hemoglobin electrophoresis were divided into three groups of 25 patients each: Group I (thalassemia trait), Group II (thalassemia intermedia [TI]), and Group III (thalassemia major). In addition, 50 healthy individuals were included as controls. Both patients and control groups were subjected to clinical and laboratory assessment, which included measurement of protein C, anti-thrombin III, D-dimer, CD41, CD42, CD61, and CD62P, and detection of beta-chain mutations. RESULTS: Levels of the platelet activation marker CD62P were significantly higher in beta-thalassemia patients (26.28 ± 18.01%) than in controls (4.78 ± 2.27%) (P C]/IVS1.110 [G > A]). CONCLUSION: Postsplenectomy teenagers and adults with beta-thalassemia with lower levels of natural anticoagulant in the blood, an increased level of D-dimer, and platelet activator factor had a significantly higher risk for TE than those with childhood beta-thalassemia and the control group. In comparison with other beta-thalassemia patients, TI with beta-chain mutations is more likely to develop TE.

Keywords

• beta-chain mutation
• beta-thalassemia
• d-dimer
• natural coagulation inhibitors
• platelet activation factor (cd62p)