Abstract
Deferiprone (DFP), the first oral iron chelator, has been used in patients with β-thalassemia major to reduce serum ferritin levels and total iron burden, leading to decreased cardiac iron levels. Major side effects include embryotoxicity, agranulocytosis, zinc deficiency and gastrointestinal disorders, while arthropathy is rarely reported. Herein, we present a 29-year-old male patient with β-thalassemia major, who developed severe arthritis of both knees while under deferiprone therapy. Arthritis was managed successfully with non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs after DFP withdrawal.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kontoghiorghes GJ, Aldouri AM, Sheppard LN et al (1987) 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one, an orally active chelator for treatment of iron overload. Lancet 1:1294–1295
Kontoghiorghes GJ, Bartlett AN, Hoffbrand AV et al (1990) Long term trial with the oral iron chelator 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one (L1). Iron chelation and metabolic studies. Br J Haematol 76:295–300
Olivieri NF, Brittenham GM, McLaren CE et al (1998) Long term safety and effectiveness of iron-chelation therapy with deferiprone for thalassemia major. N Eng J Med 339:417–423
Alymara V, Bourantas D, Chaidos A et al (2004) Effectiveness and safety of combined iron-chelation therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone. Hematol J 5:475–479
Kellenberger CJ, Schmugge M, Saurenmann T et al (2004) Radiographic and MRI features of deferiprone-related arthropathy of the knees in patients with β-thalassemia. AJR Am J Roentgenol 183:989–994
Berkovitch M, Laxer RM, Inman R et al (1994) Arthropathy in thalassemia patients receiving deferiprone. Lancet 343:1471–1472
Giakoumi X, Tsironi M, Floudas C et al (2005) Rheumatoid arthritis in thalassemia intermedia: coincidence or association? Isr Med Assoc J 7:667–669
Mehta J, Singhal S, Revankar R et al (1991) Fatal systemic lupus erythematosus in a patient taking oral iron chelator L1. Lancet 337:298
Castriota-Scanderbeg A, Sacco M (1997) Agranulocytosis, arthritis and systemic vasculitis in a patient receiving the oral iron chelator L1. Br J Haematol 96:254–255
Cohen AR, Galanello R, Piga A et al (2000) Safety profile of the oral iron chelator deferiprone: a multicentre study. Br J Haematol 108:305–312
Disclosures
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vlachaki, E., Tselios, K., Perifanis, V. et al. Deferiprone-related arthropathy of the knee in a thalassemic patient: report of a case and review of the literature. Clin Rheumatol 27, 1459–1461 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-008-0969-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-008-0969-y