Subclinical nephrotoxicity in patients with beta-thalassemia: role of urinary kidney injury molecule

We aimed to investigate the role of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in detection of subclinical nephrotoxicity in patients with Beta-thalassemia (beta-TM) in relation to chelation therapy and to correlate the urinary KIM-1 level with other clinical and laboratory findings. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 66 thalassemic patients. Their ages range from 7 to 22 years. Routine kidney indices and novel urinary KIM/creatinine ratio (UKIM-1/Cr) were measured. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Results indicate that the level of serum creatinine was significantly higher in patients on deferasirox therapy than patients on deferoxamine and deferiprone therapy [median(IQR), 0.85(0.63-0.99), 0.50(0.34-0.58) and 0.44(0.36-0.45)] mg/dL, respectively, p < 0.001]. The median(IQR) level of eGFR was significantly lower in patients on deferasirox therapy than patients on deferoxamine and deferiprone therapy [63.3(56.5-92.1), 117.3(91.9-162) and 136.7(109.4-157.6)] ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively, p < 0.001]. The mean level of UKIM-1/Cr was significantly higher in patients on deferasirox therapy than patients on deferoxamine and deferiprone therapy (7.0 +/- 1.9, 4.1 +/- 1.7 and 4.2 +/- 1.5) ng/mg creatinine, respectively, p < 0.001). We concluded that urinary KIM-1 is an early predictive biomarker for decline in eGFR in patients with beta-TM on deferasirox therapy. The appropriate chelation therapy and good monitoring of those patients are intensely needed for early detection of renal dysfunction and timely intervention.