Abstract
Background: An increased risk of venous thromboembolic events has been reported in thalassemic patients, in particular in patients with thalassemia intermedia. The association between β-thalassemia trait and atherothrombotic cardiovascular events is not well established. Methods: In a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature, we evaluated the association between β-thalassemia trait and arterial cardiovascular disease. Studies were identified from the MEDLINE and EMBASE (until July 2010) electronic databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic. Results: Of the 354 identified articles, eight case-control studies were eligible for the analysis. β-Thalassemia trait was associated with a reduced risk of arterial cardiovascular disease (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.45-0.60). Heterogeneity among studies was low (I2=13%). The protective effect of β-thalassemia trait was confined to male patients (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.24-0.62), and was not observed in female subjects (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.52-1.53). Conclusions: β-Thalassemia trait may act as a protective factor against the development of arterial cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in male subjects. Larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary findings and to further investigate the mechanisms underlying this protective effect.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 917-921 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2011 |
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Keywords
- β-thalassemia trait
- Arterial thrombosis
- Cardiovascular disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
Cite this
Thalassemia trait and arterial thromboembolic events : A systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature. / Dentali, F.; Romualdi, E.; Ageno, W.; Cappellini, M. D.; Mannucci, P. M.
In: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Vol. 9, No. 5, 05.2011, p. 917-921.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Thalassemia trait and arterial thromboembolic events
T2 - A systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature
AU - Dentali, F.
AU - Romualdi, E.
AU - Ageno, W.
AU - Cappellini, M. D.
AU - Mannucci, P. M.
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - Background: An increased risk of venous thromboembolic events has been reported in thalassemic patients, in particular in patients with thalassemia intermedia. The association between β-thalassemia trait and atherothrombotic cardiovascular events is not well established. Methods: In a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature, we evaluated the association between β-thalassemia trait and arterial cardiovascular disease. Studies were identified from the MEDLINE and EMBASE (until July 2010) electronic databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic. Results: Of the 354 identified articles, eight case-control studies were eligible for the analysis. β-Thalassemia trait was associated with a reduced risk of arterial cardiovascular disease (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.45-0.60). Heterogeneity among studies was low (I2=13%). The protective effect of β-thalassemia trait was confined to male patients (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.24-0.62), and was not observed in female subjects (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.52-1.53). Conclusions: β-Thalassemia trait may act as a protective factor against the development of arterial cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in male subjects. Larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary findings and to further investigate the mechanisms underlying this protective effect.
AB - Background: An increased risk of venous thromboembolic events has been reported in thalassemic patients, in particular in patients with thalassemia intermedia. The association between β-thalassemia trait and atherothrombotic cardiovascular events is not well established. Methods: In a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature, we evaluated the association between β-thalassemia trait and arterial cardiovascular disease. Studies were identified from the MEDLINE and EMBASE (until July 2010) electronic databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic. Results: Of the 354 identified articles, eight case-control studies were eligible for the analysis. β-Thalassemia trait was associated with a reduced risk of arterial cardiovascular disease (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.45-0.60). Heterogeneity among studies was low (I2=13%). The protective effect of β-thalassemia trait was confined to male patients (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.24-0.62), and was not observed in female subjects (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.52-1.53). Conclusions: β-Thalassemia trait may act as a protective factor against the development of arterial cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in male subjects. Larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary findings and to further investigate the mechanisms underlying this protective effect.
KW - β-thalassemia trait
KW - Arterial thrombosis
KW - Cardiovascular disease
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79955662246&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79955662246&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04253.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04253.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 21382170
AN - SCOPUS:79955662246
VL - 9
SP - 917
EP - 921
JO - Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
JF - Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
SN - 1538-7933
IS - 5
ER -