Subclinical atherosclerosis in young beta-thalassemia major patients.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in young beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) patients and its risk factors including dyslipidemia compared to type 1 diabetic patients were assessed. Ninety subjects were included and divided into three groups: group I comprised 30 beta-TM patients with a mean age of 18.4 +/- 6.18 years; group II comprised of 30 type 1 diabetic patients with a mean age of 19.23 +/- 4.25 years, and 30 healthy subjects served as controls in group III. Fasting lipid profiles, hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis, serum ferritin and high resolution ultrasound for the measurement of carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) were done. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, apoprotein A (ApoA), and CIMT were significantly elevated, while high density lipoproteins (HDL) were significantly lowered in thalassemic and diabetic patients compared to controls. In thalassemic patients, CIMT was positively correlated with age, Hb F, ferritin and cholesterol levels. Atherogenic lipid profiles in young thalassemic patients with increased CIMT highlights their importance as prognostic factors for vascular risk stratification.