Abstract Topic: 27. Thalassemias
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia in adults as an Hb<12 g/dL for non-pregnant women and <13 g/dL for men. In older people, an Hb concentration <12 g/dL is usually considered an established diagnosis for anemia (under the strict meaning of academic definition), regardless of the patient’s gender.
Aims: The purpose of this study is to compare and differentiate certain types of anemia in Fier County (such as Iron-deficiency anemia, Thalassemia minor, chronic disease anemia and combinations of these anemias) based on haematological parameters and ferritin. The aim is also to extract prevalence for each diagnosis.
Methods: This is a study in retrospect. The study included patients who were first diagnosed with anemia in their routine checks during June 2021–April 2022 in Fier county. Statistical analysis for the implementation of this study was performed using SPSS. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the type of anemia that appears. Continued data was evaluated using T test. The differences were considered statistically significative for P<0.05 values.
Results: Most of patients taken in this study have been diagnosed with Iron-deficiency anemia (29%). The average age for each diagnosis are; Iron-deficiency anemia 36.27 years, Iron-deficiency anemia & Thalassemia minor 29 years, anemia of chronic disease 63.88 years. Women predominate in all groups taken in the study. Iron-deficiency anemia has a lower haemoglobin and a higher MCV compared to Thalassemia minor and co-existence of two anemias. RDW and MCV should be used combined to make differentiation of Thalassemia minor and Iron-deficiency anemia. The Mentzer index has a high sensitivity in differentiation of anemias. Ferritin can be a good test to differentiate Iron-deficiency anemia with thalassemia minor and mix anemia. There was not a significant relationship between the level of ferritin and RDW in Iron-deficiency anemia and that of Iron-deficiency anemia & thalassemia minor.
Summary/Conclusion: Patients with thalassemia minor with a haemoglobin value less than 11 g/dl and an RDW above the rate should be suspected of co-association with Iron-deficiency anemia. A moderate significant relationship was seen between the level of the urea and RBC, CRP, calcium, glycemia in chronic disease anemia, suggesting that in these patients we should also make assessments of these parameters.
Keywords: beta thalassemia, Thalassemia, Iron deficiency anemia, Anemia