Gender differences in the prevalence and severity of bone disease in thalassaemia.

Background: The pathogenesis of bone disease in thalassaemia major (TM) is multifactorial and remains unclear, although gonadal dysfunction probably has the most dominant role.

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of several factors on the development of reduced bone mass in patients of both sexes with TM, treated in our Center.

Subjects And Methods: 76 thalassaemic patients (26 males, 50 females) of Greek Cypriot origin with a mean age of 31.