Clinical and histological characterization of liver disease in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. A multicenter study of 117 cases.

Transfusion-dependent thalassemics have mild liver necroinflammation, mainly attributable to HCV infection. Significant fibrosis is frequent, and its progression is mostly influenced by iron overload which, with current therapy regimens, may be attributable to both erythrocyte catabolism and iron hyperabsorption.