Hearing status of thalassemic patients treated with dessfroxamin

Background: Major beta thalassemia is the most common inherited anemia with high prevalence in Iran and hearing loss is one of its side effects. The present study aimed to determine the hearing status of patients with major thalassemia and its relationship with serum ferritin level, period of blood transfusion and Dessfroxamin administration.

Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 80 thalassemia major patients (36 Male and 44 Female) aged 4-32 (14.2 ±2.3) who were referred to Bou Ali Hospital for two years. The studied variables include age, gender, serum ferritin level, amount and duration of Desferal injection and hearing level. All subjects went under evaluation for their otologic and audiometric status. The collected data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA with SPSS software.

Results: The findings of the study indicated that 38 patients (47%) had entirely hearing loss. Among these 38 patients, 17 patients had sensory neural type f hearing loss 12 patients had conductive and 7 patients had mixed type of hearing problems. The results showed a significant relationship (p<0.05) between hearing loss and serum ferritin level and the dosage and duration of Desferal administration.

Conclusion: Hearing impairment may develop with increasing dosage of Dessfroxamin. Periodic follow up and physical examination is recommended to prevent hearing impairment in major thalassemia.