Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency and its Relationship with Cardiac Function in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia

Background: Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with beta-thalassemia. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency are common in these patients. We studied and compared vitamin D and calcium levels and other parameters with echocardiographic findings in patients with beta-thalassemia.Methods: A cross-sectional study on patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia was conducted. One hundred sixty-nine patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia were enrolled. Ejection fraction, valvular insufficiency, and aortic diameter were determined. The aortic diameter of patients was measured using the Mindray DC60 echo model. All of these patients were tested for levels of vitamin D, calcium (Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), platelet (PLT), and ferritin. Finally, the effect of these factors on aortic root (AR), aortic valve area (AVA), and ejection fraction (EF) was evaluated. One-way ANOVA was used to compare quantitative variables, and a chi-square test with a 95% confidence level was used to estimate relationships and compare ratios in groups.Results: A statistically significant relationship existed between vitamin D deficiency and serum Ca (P value = 0.009). Our results showed that EF also increased with the increase in vitamin D levels, and the probability that the AR would have a normal size increased. Furthermore, abnormal PTH and PLT levels caused a decrease in EF.Conclusion: This study showed an association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiac function in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Vitamin D can be considered a supplement for thalassemia patients.