The Role of Heart Rate Variability and Fragmented QRS for Determination of Subclinical Cardiac Involvement in Beta-Thalassemia Major.

Background: Iron accumulation leads to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases in thalassemia major (TM) patients. Depressed heart rate variability (HRV) and development of arrhythmia are among the manifestations of subclinical cardiac involvement in TM cases. Determination of subclinical cardiac involvement is essential for preventive measures.

Efficacy of Deferasirox (Exjade®) in Modulation of Iron Overload in Patients with β-Thalassemia Intermedia.

Because of insufficient erythropoiesis, peripheral hemolysis and increased gastrointestinal iron absorption, iron overload is still a matter of debate in β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) patients, which can be overcome using iron chelators. However, data on use of iron chelators in β-TI patients is highly restricted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral administration of deferasirox (Exjade(®) or DFX) by assessment of serum ferritin levels in β-TI patients.

Anxiety and depression affects life and sleep quality in adults with beta-thalassemia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of anxiety and depression symptoms with health related quality of life (HRQoL) and sleep quality in patients with beta-thalassemia.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study between 2006 and 2007, 292 thalassemic patients were assessed for symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale; HADS), HRQoL (Short Form-36, SF-36) and quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI). Linear regression models were used to determine possible predictive value of high anxiety and depressive symptoms on HRQoL and sleep quality, separately.