Thalassaemic Osteopathy: a cross-sectional preliminary study from Sri Lanka

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the presence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and to examine the association of known risk factors for low BMD in patients with beta thalassaemia major in Sri Lanka. Method: Thirty-eight patients were studied. Their examination and laboratory investigation findings were recorded (haematology, biochemistry, hormonal profile, COL1A1 rs1800012G > T genotype, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning). Results: Mean age was 10.95 years (range 5-21.4). 20 (52.6%) were male. BMD was low (z score <= -2.0) in 12 (31.5%). Regression analysis of BMD on known risk factors (age, sex, pubertal stage, ferritin level, average pre-transfusion haemoglobin, serum calcium level and COL1A1 rs1800012G > T genotype) controlling for confounding factors on each comparison, showed that only age was significantly associated with low BMD (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Approximately one-third of patients had a low BMD. Only age was significantly associated with a low BMD.