Predicting Factors of Atherosclerosis in Children with Beta-Thalassemia Major

Bahram  Darbandi; Nasim Ghorbannezhad; Adel Baghersalimi; Shahin Koohmanaee; Afagh  Hassanzadeh Rad; Zahra Atrkar  Roshan; Saeid  Anvari; Setila Dalili; Manijeh Tabrizi

doi:10.18502/ijpho.v13i1.11632

Bahram Darbandi Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Nasim Ghorbannezhad Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Adel Baghersalimi Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Shahin Koohmanaee Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Afagh Hassanzadeh Rad Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Zahra Atrkar Roshan Department of Statistics, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Saeid Anvari Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Pirouz Hospital, Lahijan, Iran
Setila Dalili Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Manijeh Tabrizi Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpho.v13i1.11632

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Beta-Thalassemia, Osteoprotegerin

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is an important cardiovascular disorder in beta-thalassemia major patients. The present study aimed to predict factors of atherosclerosis in children with beta-thalassemia major.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 36 patients with beta-thalassemia major and 36 healthy children as the control group. The carotid intima-media thickness (CAIMT) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were compared between groups.

Results: The mean age of the patients in the case and control groups were 13.5 ± 3.7 and 13 ± 3.1 years old, respectively. Significant differences in CAIMT in the right (P = 0.001) and left (P = 0.001) arteries were recorded between the two groups. The mean serum OPG in the beta-thalassemia group was significantly higher than the control group (3.9 ng/ml and 1.4 ng/ml, respectively, P=0.001).

Conclusion: CAIMT is a non-invasive method for diagnosing atherosclerosis. According to the significant difference between groups, serum OPG could be helpful in the diagnosis of early atherosclerosis in beta-thalassemia major.