# Serum visfatin level in β-thalassemia and its correlation with disease severity

## TL;DR

This study found that higher levels of a protein called visfatin in the blood are linked to more severe forms of beta-thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder.

## Contribution

The study identifies visfatin as a potential biomarker for assessing disease severity in β-thalassemia.

## Key findings

- Patients with β-thalassemia major had significantly higher serum visfatin levels than those with β-thalassemia minor and healthy controls.
- Serum visfatin levels were significantly correlated with the severity of β-thalassemia.
- Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed distinct visfatin levels across the three groups.

## Abstract

Thalassemia is a group of genetic hematological conditions characterized by the defective synthesis of one or more hemoglobin chains. This genetic anomaly alters globin chain balance, causing hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The proinflammatory adipocytokine visfatin is predominantly produced in visceral adipose tissue. Its evaluation in individuals with thalassemia may provide valuable insights into the assessment of disease severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of visfatin in the development of β-thalassemia and its association with the severity of the illness. The study included 40 patients with β-thalassemia and ten healthy individuals matched by age and sex. Serum visfatin level was measured using ELISA. We found that individuals with β-thalassemia major had significantly higher levels of serum visfatin than those with β-thalassemia minor and the control group (P < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that serum visfatin levels were different in the three groups. Our results suggest that the serum level of visfatin is significantly correlated with the severity of β-thalassemia.