Statistical analyses
All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Patients were classified into responders and non-responder based on Hb level and transfusion requirement. Continuous data was presented as means ± SD and categorical data was presented as frequencies and percentages. A paired sample t-test was used to compare changes in continuous variables such as Hb, RBC, and its indices, serum ferritin, serum LDH, and uric acid levels, liver and spleen size, bilirubin, ALT and creatinine levels before and after thalidomide treatment.