Comparison of Deferasirox and Desferoxamine in Patients of β-Thalassemia Major With Iron Overload

Comparison of Deferasirox and Desferoxamine in Patients of β-Thalassemia Major With Iron Overload

This study was planned to compare deferasirox and desferrioxamine in terms of mean serum ferritin levels in patients of β-thalassemia major having Iron overload. Choosing an effective iron chelator is crucial to increasing iron chelation therapy compliance. Not much local data exists in Pakistan comparing the effectiveness of deferasirox (DFX) and desferrioxamine (DFO), so, this study would be helpful in providing baseline data and formulating new protocols for iron chelation therapy, in which DFX may be a useful oral alternative to parenteral DFO.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of β-thalassemia major (as per medical record or confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis)
• Iron overload (serum ferritin level above 1000 µg/L)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with other transfusion-dependent anemias
• Thalassemia major with cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia.
• Chronic renal failure
• Chronic liver disease (ALT >200 IU)
• Hhypersensitivity to deferasirox or desferrioxamine
• Patients already on combined chelation therapy