• Suleman Elahi Malik, Shaista Kanwal, Javeria Javed, Wagma Hidayat, Tahir Ghaffar, and Azizul Hasan Aamir.
• Dr. Suleman Elahi Malik, MBBS, FCPS Medicine, FCPS Endocrinology. Endocrinology Division, Department of Medical Specialties, MTI Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2023 May 1; 39 (3): 726731726-731.

ObjectivesTo determine the frequency of endocrine disorders in Beta-Thalassemia Major (BTM) patients presenting for Endocrine Evaluation to the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, a tertiary care hospital.MethodThis descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from October 2019 to August 2021. All patients with BTM presenting for endocrine evaluation were included in the study. Height and weight were assessed and plotted on the standard charts. For secondary sexual characteristics tanner staging was used. Blood samples for hormonal profile were taken according to standard protocol and sent for endocrine assessment.ResultsA Total of 135 patients BTM were enrolled in the study comprising of 70 (51.9%) males and 65 (48.1%) females. Their mean age was 14.8±3.9 years, mean height 138.5±13.01 cm, mean weight 35.9±8.4 kg, mean BMI 18.6±2.8 kg/m2, mean age of transfusion started was 6.7±3.99 months, mean duration of transfusion 13.6±4.03 years and mean duration of chelation therapy received 6.1±4.5 years. Regarding endocrine complications, out of 135 patients assessed, one hundred (74.1%) had height less than 5th centile and fifteen (11.1%) had diabetes mellitus. For thyroid and parathyroid function, 58 and 13 were tested respectively, out of which 16 (27.6%) and 6 (46.2%) had thyroid dysfunction and hypoparathyroidism. Out of 91 patients assessed for pubertal delay, 61 (67.03%) had delayed puberty.ConclusionsHigh percentage of endocrine complications were found in patients with BTM. Severity and multiplicity of endocrine organs involvement was dependent on duration of the disease and lack of compliance with chelation therapy.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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