Iron Overload Evaluation in Beta-Thalassemia Major: Hepatic and Cardiac Assessment using MRI T۲* and Serum Ferritin Levels in Sistan and Baluchistan Province

Background and Purpose: Thalassemia major, a genetic blood disorder causing chronic anemia, often requires blood transfusions that lead to iron overload and organ damage. To assess iron overload levels, doctors typically rely on serum ferritin levels and MRI T۲* measurements. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between iron overload in the liver and heart among patients with the beta-thalassemia major from Sistan and Baluchistan province, Iran.Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study involves ۱۱۵ beta-thalassemia patients. Using specialized software called "CMR Tools," we analyzed the data extracted from serum ferritin and MRI T۲* measurements. Our statistical analysis helped determine the extent of iron overload in these patients. All statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS V۲۷.۰.Results: Our findings revealed that ۹۲.۱% of our patients exhibited liver iron overload, with the average liver iron content measuring ۱۵.۹۱ ± ۷.۹۴ mg/g. Meanwhile, the cardiac T۲* measurements indicated varying degrees of iron overload in the heart. we observed a strong correlation between liver iron overload and serum ferritin levels (r=۰.۲۷۵, P<۰.۰۰۳). On the other hand, the correlation between cardiac T۲* and serum ferritin was weak and inverse (r=-۰.۳۸۵, P<۰.۰۰۱). we did not find a significant correlation between cardiac T۲* and liver iron overload (r=-۰.۱۵۰, P<۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Our study highlights the valuable role of MRI T۲* in assessing iron overload in the heart and liver of beta-thalassemia major patients. We confirmed a strong association between liver iron overload and serum ferritin levels. To obtain a comprehensive evaluation of iron status, we recommend including both cardiac and hepatic T۲* MRI in conjunction with serum ferritin measurements. The use of MRI T۲* provides a rapid and reliable assessment, enabling long-term monitoring of iron levels. Ultimately, it stands as the current gold standard for evaluating hemosiderosis in thalassemia patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

MRI ، Thalassemia major ، Hemosiderosis