FREQUENCY AND FEATURES OF RHEUMATIC FINDINGS IN THALASSAEMIA MINOR: A BLIND CONTROLLED STUDY.

Since 1977, various reports have been published concerned with locomotor system involvement in thalassaemia minor. In this blind study, a further 80 cases with thalassaemia minor were evaluated and compared with 63 healthy controls. In 52% of thalassaemia minor cases and 54% of controls, varying musculoskeletal involvement was found by means of history, clinical examination and radiological investigation. Three patients had a history of short-lived arthritis. It was concluded that arthraigia was the most frequent finding, and hands (wrist) and shoulders were mostly involved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]