Comparison of Combined Therapy with Deferoxamine and Deferiprone versus Monotherapy with Deferoxamine or Deferiprone in Iron Overloaded Thalassemia Patients

(1) Objective: The aim of this study was to compare Desferrioxamine (DFO) and Deferiprone (DFP) alone with a combined therapy with DFO and DFP in beta thalassemia major patients with iron overload. (2) Design: This study is a single blind randomized controlled clinical trial. (3) Setting and conduct: This study was done at Ormieh Motahari hospital. Eligible subjects were randomized to receive one of the following treatments; DFO alone DFP alone and DFP combination with DFO. (4) Participants including major eligibility criteria: This clinical trial was carrying out on 36 patients with thalassemia major of both sex and aged more than three years. (5) Intervention: Thirty six patients with thalassemia major were randomized to three groups and receive one of the following two treatments; 12 patients treated with DFO alone (50 mg/kg, 5 days weekly), 12 patients treated with DFP alone (75 mg/kg, daily) and 12 patients treated with DFP given at a daily dose of 75 mg/kg in combination with DFO (50 mg/kg, twice weekly). All patients received regular blood transfusions at 2-4 weekly intervals to maintain hemoglobin levels above 9 g/dL and all had been treated with DFO prior to the commencement of the study. (6) Main outcome measures: Serum ferritin concentrations were measured at two monthly intervals prospectively to assess the efficacy of therapy. Full blood count was performed at each monthly visit, while liver and renal function assessment was performed at three monthly intervals.

Urmia University of Medical Sciences