Complications pattern and burden of the disease in patients affected by beta-thalassaemia major

AbstractObjectives: Despite the correct application of blood transfusions and chelation treatments, beta-thalassaemia patients have many complications. Systematic population analyses on types and frequency of these complications are very few. The aim of this study is to characterize the complications,their risk factors and their clinical and economic impact.Methods: Complications at baseline and events occurred during 1 observational year were analysed in 272 patients aged >12 years. Risk factors were analysed through chi-squared and unpaired t-tests. Logistic regression was applied to perform the risk factors multivariate analysis.Results: 82.3% of patients were affected by 1 to 6 complications for a total of 554. Cardiac complications were less represented than expected. Musculoskeletal diseases have been the most represented complications followed by hepatic, sexual and endocrine diseases. Splenectomised patients, born before 1970 and aged >40 years, starting iron chelation therapy when aged >4 years o...