Thalassemias : hemoglobinopathies in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Thalassemias/hemoglobinopaties in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The purpose of This study was to determine the incidence of thalassemias, hemoglobinopathies and their combinations in adults and to validate the existence of ∞- thalassemia in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. 619 subjects were randomly selected from every tenth patient with various complaints in outpatient clinic of medicine,  Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. The blood samples were drawn and mixed with EDTA for hemoglobin typing with cellulose acetate electrophoresis method. Hemoglobin A₂ and F were quantified with microcolumn chromatography and alkali denaturation  respectively. Types of thalassemia and hernoglobinopathy were demonstrated as followed : hemoglobin E trait 201 (32.5%), hemoglobin E disease 36 (5.8%) β-thalassemia trait 45 (7.3%) β-thalassemia/hemoglobin E disease 6 (1.0%) hemoglobin AE Bart's disease 2 (0.3%), hemoglobin H disease 2 (0.3%), β-thalassemia major 1 (0.2%) and hemoglobin Constant - Spring 2 (0:3%). The rest were normal 324 (52.3%). Total hemoglobin E was found 38.3% which was similar to the study of Kummalue et al. (37.1%). β - thalassemia trait was more commonly found as compared to the previous study (7.3% VS 1.7%). Hemoglobin H and hemoglobin AE Bart's disease were equally found (0.3%). This finding contirmed the existence of ∞- thalassemia in this province. Severe forms of thalassemia/hemoglobinopathies might  be more frequently found than usual because only the hospitalized patients were studied. Further study in the general population should be conducted in order to get more precise incidence of these severe forms.