Hemoglobinopathies in South Gujarat population and incidence of anemia in them

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To Screen of South Gujarat population for determination of prevalence of different hemoglobinopathies particularly beta thalassemia trait (BTT) and sickle cell trait (SCT) and find out the incidence of anemia in them.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The present study screened 32,857 samples of students from different school and colleges in South Gujarat. Blood samples were initially tested for solubility test and complete hemogram on hematology analyzer. Samples having MCV (≤78), MCH (≤28) and/or positive solubility test were investigated for Hb electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane (pH 8.6). Hb A2 level ≥3.5% was considered as diagnostic for BTT. High performance liquid chromatography on Biorad Hb variant system was done on samples having doubtful results.RESULT:Overall prevalence of BTT and SCT in South Gujarat was 4.4% and 1.3% respectively. Gamit, Vasava, Chaudhary, and Mahyavanshi castes had high prevalence of BTT (15.9%, 13.6%, 12.6%, and 6.9%) as well as SCT (22.2%, 15.2, 22.3, and 4.2%) respectively. Other communities like Lohana (10.8%), Sindhi (10.2%), Prajapati (6.3%), and Ghanchi (6.2%) also showed higher prevalence of BTT. Incidence of mild to moderate anemia was higher in BTT and SCT compared to non-BTT or non-SCT subjects.CONCLUSIONStudy suggests that BTT is the most prevalent hemoglobinopathy in South Gujarat. β-thalassemia and Sickle cell anemia are highly prevalent in Mahyavanshi, Chaudhary, Gamit, Vasava and Rohit. Prajapati, Lohana, Leva Patel, and Ghanchi have β- thalassemia risk. SCT is more frequently detected in Dhodia Patel and Kukanas.

Detection of hemoglobinopathies in patients of anaemia using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) - a hospital based prospective study

“…The distribution of beta-thalasemia is not uniform in Indian subcontinent. The highest frequency of beta thalasemia trait is reported in Gujarat (10-15%), followed by Sindh (10%), Punjab (6.5%), Tamil Nadu (8.4%) and Maharashtra [15]. In our study, total screened subjects at Prathima institute of medical sciences were belonging to Karimnagar (62), Adilabad (143) and Medak (15) [20].…”

“…) revealed higher prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in males 20/36 (55%) as compared to females 16/36 (44.44%). A study by Chopra and co-workers reported that out of 258 abnormal cases, 136 (53%) were males and 122 (47%) were females[17] and Patel et al found 62% male 37.9% female having hemoglobinopathies[15] while Uddin et al, reported an equal incidence of hemoglobinopathies in both males and females[21].…”

“…The gene frequency for various hemoglobinopathies varies across different regions of India. The rates of fertility, literacy and consanguinity in marriages are also diversified [4].However, Patel J et al reported the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in Gujarat, mentioning that out of 428 subjects, 153(35.7%) had Hemoglobinopathies[15] while their another study in year 2011 found higher prevalence up to 38.97% [18]. Another study by Panda A et al based on West Bengal population illustrated to prevalence of hemoglobinopathies was 20.47%[19].…”

Evaluation of the diagnostic reliability of Mentzer index for Beta thalassemia trait followed by HPLC

“…β thalassemia accounts for a major disease load in Southeast Asia, especially in India. In India, the communities which are majorly inflicted are Sindhis, Gujaratis, Punjabis, Prajapatis, Bengalis and Kachchis due to the presence of a higher number of thalassemia trait patients [9]. Misdiagnosis of β thalassemia trait has consequences for potential homozygous offspring leading to β thalassemia disease.…”

Mentzer Index for Differential Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency anaemia and Beta Thalassemia Trait

“…They are also seen in Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Southwest Europe, and Africa. In India the communities in whom there is increased risk of thalassemia due to presence of trait in individual members are Sindhis, Gujratis, Punjabis, kachchis, Lohana, Prajapati and Bengalis [7] .…”