Correlation of serum ferritin levels with pulmonary function tests in thalassemia patients

Background: Iron overload is an inevitable complication of thalassemia. Pulmonary function test (PFT) abnormalities have been described but the results of the studies correlating serum ferritin levels with PFTs have shown inconsistent results. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study were (1) to determine the frequency of PFTs abnormalities and (2) to correlate serum ferritin levels with PFTs. Materials and Methods: PFTs were done in 50 patients with thalassemia over 8–27 years of age using spirometer. Mean serum ferritin level in the preceding 1 year was taken. Results: PFTs were normal in 54%, restrictive in 34%, obstructive in 10%, and combined restrictive and obstructive in 2% of the patients, respectively. There was inverse correlation between serum ferritin and FEV1 and FVC but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Abnormalities of PFTs are common in thalassemia patients. Inverse relation of serum ferritin with FEV1 and FVC may indicate possible role of iron in the etiopathogenesis of PFTs abnormalities but its significance needs to be evaluated further.