Necrobiosis lipoidica in a patient with β-thalassemia major: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare granulomatous disease that predominantly affects middle-aged women and is often associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other metabolic disorders. Thalassemias are the most common hereditary hemoglobin (Hb) disorders worldwide. A few studies investigated dermatologic problems that coexist with β-thalassemia major (β-TM). The most common skin disorders in patients with β-TM are xerosis, urticaria, pseudoxanthoma, hyperpigmentation, leg ulcers and small-vessel vasculitis. Necrobiosis lipoidica has only been occasionally reported in patients with β-TM. Herein, we present a female with β-TM and NL. Furthermore, a brief review of the literature was performed.

Keywords: ferritin; necrobiosis lipoidica (NL); reactive oxygen species (ROS); β-Thalassemia major (β-TM).