Renal function in β-thalassemia major receiving desferal versus deferasirox

Introduction: Deferasirox is a new oral iron chelating agent which has been administered in β-thalassemia major patients in last few years. There is some reports regarding nephrotoxicity of this agent; however, no comparative study has been conducted yet. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of kidney dysfunction in β-thalassemia major patients receiving either desferal or deferasirox as iron chelating agents. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adult patients with β-thalassemia major who received 25 mg/kg/d of desferal or 25 mg/kg/d of deferasirox were studied. We compared them for serum calcium (Ca), creatinine (Cr) levels and 24 hours urine collection for proportion of Ca and protein. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by Cockcroft-Gault formula. Results: Twenty-seven patients receiving desferal and 23 patients receiving deferasirox were evaluated. There was no significant difference of calciuria (P = 0.19), glycosuria (P = 0.508), mean 24-hour urine proteinuria (P = 0.44), mean serum Cr (P = 0.47), serum Ca level (P = 0.067) and mean eGFR (P = 0.42) between two groups. Conclusion: There is no significant difference of hypercalciuria, glycosuria, mean eGFR, proteinuria, and also serum Cr between β-thalassemia major patients who received desferal or deferasirox.