Dogramaci, Asena CigdemSavas, NazanOzer, BurcinDuran, Nizami2024-09-182024-09-1820090011-90591365-4632https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04176.xhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12483/13487Background beta-Thalassemia major affects multiple organs and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The goal of this analysis was to document the frequency of skin diseases among patients with beta-thalassemia major. Methods A sample of 78 patients with beta-thalassemia major was recruited and interviewed at the thalassemia clinic between April and June 2008. A dermatologist completed a skin examination of each patient and recorded any skin disease present. The patients' laboratory results and treatment modalities were recorded from the charts. Results Sixty-five (83.3%) of the 78 patients examined had a diagnosed skin disease: pruritus (37.2%), xerosis (34.6%), scars (24.4%), ephelides (23.1%), skin irritation/erythema caused by deferoxamine pump (12.8%), idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (6.4%), pityriasis alba (6.4%), tinea infections (5.1%), verruca vulgaris (5.1%), urticaria (3.8%), hyperhidrosis, contact dermatitis, and acne (2.6%), necrobiosis lipoidica (1.3%), melasma (1.3%), and others (14.1%). Pruritus and xerosis increased in frequency with age. The mean serum ferritin level was higher in patients with xerosis than in those without (5607.7 +/- 2997.5 ng/mL and 4285.2 +/- 4732.4 ng/mL, respectively) (P = 0.005). Moreover, xerosis was observed significantly more frequently in patients using deferoxamine and deferiprone than in those using deferasirox (P = 0.047, P = 0.027, and P = 0.273, respectively). Conclusion Skin diseases, especially pruritus and xerosis, are observed highly frequently in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Treatment is needed for these patients who already have other significant morbidities.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessPseudoxanthoma-ElasticumMorbidityLesionsArticle48101057106110.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04176.x197850862-s2.0-70349495514Q1WOS:000269977200005Q3