Nakavachara P, et al. – The physicians undertook this study to evaluate the prevalence of low bone mass among adolescents with nontransfusion–dependent (NTD) hemoglobin (Hb) E/β–thalassemia and factors relating to low bone mass. They discovered that a low Hb level was associated with low bone mass among adolescents with NTD Hb E/β–thalassemia. The appropriate management, including red cell transfusion, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation was required for these patients with low bone mass for improving long–term bone health.

Methods

• This study included 22 adolescents (aged 13.2–20 years) with NTD Hb E/ β–thalassemia.
• In all the participants bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine (L2–L4; BMDLS) and total body (BMDTB) was measured by dual–energy X–ray absorptiometry.

Results

• In investigations, low bone mass was found to be 18.2% and 22.7% at the lumbar spine (BMDLS Z–score adjusted for bone age and height age) and 13.6% and 9.1% at the total body (BMDTB Z–score adjusted for bone age and height age).
• Patients with mean Hb level <8 g/dl were more likely to have low bone mass (BMDLS and BMDTB Z–scores adjusted for bone age) compared to those with Hb level ≥ 8 g/dl.
• Mean Hb level correlated with BMDLS and BMDTB Z–scores adjusted for bone age.