Anemia, iron deficiency, and thalassemia among the Thai population inhabiting at the Thailand-Lao PDR-Cambodia triangle

Abstract

Anemia is a major public health problem in many areas of Southeast Asia. Ascertaining anemia and defining its underlying causes is essential for providing appropriate care, management, and establishment of a control program. Limited studies on these have been carried out on people living at the borders of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia. This cross-sectional study was done in four areas along the borders of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia. Blood specimens were collected from subjects aged 15–18 years in four districts including Kantharalak, Si Sa Ket province (n = 36), Nam Khun (n = 109), Nam Yuen (n = 98), and Na Chaluai (n = 128), Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. RBC parameters were recorded, and serum ferritin (SF) level was measured. Diagnosis of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies was based on hemoglobin (Hb) and DNA analyses. Measurement of C-reactive protein was performed to exclude false-negative result of iron deficiency. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 25.1%. ID accounted for only 10.5%. Various types of thalassemia were identified in 67.7% of the subjects. The overall prevalence of thalassemia included 3.5% α0-thalassemia, 0.8% β-thalassemia, 47.7% Hb E, and 53.6% α+-thalassemia. The proportions of ID, thalassemia and combined ID and thalassemia among anemic subjects were 6.5%, 66.6%, and 20.4%, respectively. The results indicate that thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies rather than ID are major causes of anemia in Thailand-Lao PDR-Cambodia triangle. This information should prove useful for implementing an anemia control program in the regions.

Anemia in an ethnic minority group in lower northern Thailand: A community-based study investigating the prevalence in relation to inherited hemoglobin disorders and iron deficiency

“…Although there are various causes that give rise to anemia, iron deficiency (ID) is considered as the main cause. In certain populations, inherited Hb disorders (IHDs) have been reported to be the major determinants of anemia [4][5][6]. At the molecular level, IHDs are broadly classified into thalassemia and structural Hb variants.…”

“…The prevalence of anemia can vary from population to population depending on sociodemographic characteristics and ethnic background. Regardless of ethnicity, communitybased studies in pregnant and non-pregnant women in low-and middle-income countries reported a wide range of anemia prevalence from 20-46% [4][5][6][24][25][26][27][28]. While ID was found to be the main factor explaining anemia in some studies [24][25][26][27], others reported that IHDs were the major contributing factors [4][5][6]28].…”

“…Regardless of ethnicity, communitybased studies in pregnant and non-pregnant women in low-and middle-income countries reported a wide range of anemia prevalence from 20-46% [4][5][6][24][25][26][27][28]. While ID was found to be the main factor explaining anemia in some studies [24][25][26][27], others reported that IHDs were the major contributing factors [4][5][6]28]. In this study, anemia prevalence of 27.9% among the Pwo-Karen people was comparable to previous studies conducted in Northeastern-Thai females of reproductive age [4][5][6]28].…”

Association of thalassemia, hemoglobinopathies, and vitamin D levels with lipid profile in adults: Community-based research in southern Thai population

“…Several publications have reported the prevalence of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in different targeted samples and regions. To explore the prevalence of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in Thailand, various study designs have been conducted, such as hospital-based or regional health promotion center-based sample collection, area-based research, examining a specific group with a certain condition (a parent of the thalassemia patient, blood donors), and minority ethnic groups [ 22 , 23 , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] ]. This study represents the prevalence report of a community-based cross-sectional study of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in the southern Thai population.…”

“…Community-based research has been conducted on anemia, iron deficiency, and thalassemia. Thalassemia is a major cause of anemia in the community and studied areas [ 22 , 23 ].…”