J Med Assoc Thai 2012; 95 (1):16

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Clinical Indicators for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Thalassemia
Chueamuangphan N Mail, Wongtheptien W , Nawarawong W , Sukornthasarn A , Chuncharunee S , Tawichasri C , Patumanond J

Objective: To explore clinical indicators for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in thalassemia (Thal).
Material and Method: A study was conducted in thalassemia patients at Chiang Rai Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was determined by doppler echocardiography and PAH was defined as PASP > 35
mmHg. Patient characteristics were extracted from medical records. Characteristics of patients with and without PAH were
compared. Risk indicators were explored with logistic regression analysis.
Results: Two hundred twenty four patients were included, 144 E/β-Thal, 37 homozygous β-Thal and 43 Hb H disease.
There were 65 patients (29.0%) with PAH, 53 (81.5%) with E/β-Thal, 8 (12.3%) with homozygous β-Thal and 4 (6.2%) with
Hb H disease. In a multivariable analysis, features significantly associated with PAH were E/β-Thal (OR = 1.98, 95% CI;
1.29-3.01) and post splenectomy status (OR = 2.36, 95% CI; 1.17-4.73).
Conclusion: Significant indicators for PAH in thalassemia were E/β-Thal and post splenectomy status.

Keywords: Thalassemia, Pulmonary Arterial hypertension, Splenectomy

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