Unrecognized Vertebral Fractures in Adolescents and Young Adults With Thalassemia Syndromes

• DOI: 10.1097/mph.0b013e3182841574
• Publication Date: 2013-03-22T21:26:15Z
• Authors: Pontipa Engkakul; Pat Mahachoklertw...; Suphaneewan Jaovi...; Ampaiwan Chuansumrit; Preamrudee Poomth...; Niyata Chitrapazt; Suporn Chuncharunee
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 0303 health sciences; Lumbar Vertebrae; Adolescent; Syndrome; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Thailand; Thoracic Vertebrae; 3. Good health; Radiography; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Risk Factors; Splenectomy; Humans; Osteoporosis; Spinal Fractures; Thalassemia; Female; Child

Osteoporosis is a common problem in thalassemics. As the most affected bone spinal vertebrae, theoretically, it should have greatest risk of fracture. However, vertebral fracture (VF) thalassemics was rarely reported. Screening for asymptomatic VF has not been We, therefore, evaluated prevalence adolescents and young adults with thalassemia. A total 150 patients thalassemia, aged 10 years older were enrolled. Lateral thoracolumbar spine radiography evaluated. Twenty (13%) had 6 20 (30%) multiple VFs. The 2 sites lumbar 1 thoracic 12 vertebrae. Comparing group without VF, older, more severe degree history splenectomy previous non-VF, iron chelation use, longer duration blood transfusion, but lower pretransfused hematocrit. Multivariate analysis revealed predictive factors having thalassemia or (odds ratio 5.7 5.0, respectively). In conclusion, unrecognized uncommon. Risk associated included age older. high-risk patient be considered.