Thalassemia and Nephrolithiasis

Beuy Joob 1*, Viroj Wiwanitkit 1

1Sanitation 1 Medical Academic Center, Bangkok Thailand

1Honorary professor, dr. DY Patil University, Pune, India


Renal disorder is an important medical problem seen in any country. Basically, kidney plays important role in excretion and the impairment of kind can affect the general health of the patient. There are several causes of renal disorders. The relationship between renal disease and underlying genetic disorder is interesting. There are many genetic diseases that can present with renal problem. In addition, there are also many genetic diseases that can be the trigger factors for renal disease development. Here, the authors specifically discuss on an important comment genetic problem, thalassemia and its interrelationship with nephrolithiasis.

Generally, thalassemia is one of the most common genetic problem. The disease is due to inherited hemoglobin disorder that can result in anemic disease. The thalassemia patient will develop anemia and other additional pathologies such as bone abnormality. The kidney problem due to thalassemia is interesting. Nephrolithiasis is an important renal disorder detectable in patients with thalassemia. The thalassemia related hyperuricemia is believed to be an underlying cause of thalassemia related nephrolithiasis1,2. The problem is more common in thalassemia patient who receive splenectomy therapy3. The use of chelating therapy is also reported for relationship between thalassemia related nephrolithiasis4.

It is no doubt that thalassemia patient poses risk for nephrolithiasis. The monitoring of renal function among the thalassemia patient is necessary. Also, periodical check for renal stone should be done in caring of thalassemia patient.

  1. Wong P, Fuller PJ, Gillespie MT, et al. Thalassemia bone disease: the association between nephrolithiasis, bone mineral density and fractures. Osteoporos Int. 2013 Jul; 24(7): 1965-71.
  2. Chaloemwong J, Tantiworawit A, Rattanathammethee T, et al. Hyperuricemia, urine uric excretion, and associated complications in thalassemia patients. Ann Hematol. 2019 May; 98(5): 1101-1110.
  3. Ammirabile M, Costantini S, Di Matola T, et al. Splenectomy is a risk factor for developing hyperuricemia and nephrolithiasis in patients with thalassemia intermedia: a retrospective study. Ricchi P, Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2012 Oct 15-Dec 15; 49(3-4): 133-5.
  4. Ricchi P, Ammirabile M, Costantini S, et al. Nephrolithiasis in patients exposed to deferasirox and desferioxamine: probably an age-linked event with different effects on some renal parameters. Ann Hematol. 2014 Mar; 93(3): 525-7.
 

Article Info

  • Journal of Nephrology and Dialysis Medicine
  • Article Type : Editorial
  • View/Download pdf

Article Notes

  • Published on: September 11, 2019

Keywords

  • Thalassemia

  • Nephrolithiasis

*Correspondence:

Dr. Beuy Joob
Sanitation 1 Medical Academic Center, Bangkok Thailand
Email: beuyjoob@hotmail.com.