AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THALASSAEMIA PATIENTS ATTENDING THALASSAEMIC CENTER IN WASSIT GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive inherited blood disorder due to hemoglobin-production abnormalities. It is one of the most common monogenic disorders in the world and is mainly endemic in some areas of the tropics and subtropics. Approximately 7% of the world’s population is affected by haemoglobin disorders, Distributed globally; in addition to the Mediterranean countries in which they were first recognized. Objective: To identify the Socio Demographic, clinical characteristics and family history of thalassemic patients that attending hematologic clinic in Wasit Governorate. Subject and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted and performed in Thalassaemic Center in Wasit governorate, during the period from the 1st of December 2016 to the 28th of February 2017. Results: The age of patients was between (1- 54)years. The study showed that the higher percentage were at age < 10 y. (47.2%) and the percentage was decreasing with increasing age and (78.7%) of the sample were of major type of β-thalassemia, male percentage were (50.3%). It was found that 2/3 of study sample were from urban area (64.1%), only (5.9%) were married. (63.0%) were of low socio-economic-status, the highest representation of β- thalassemia patients (59.1) was observed (< 1) year of age group, more families have one child patient and (86.7%) were of +ve consanguinity. It was found that there was non- significant association between type of β-thalassemia in hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, splenoectomy and showed hepatosplenomecaly with higher frequency (92.3% & 86.7%) respectively. Conclusions: An conclusion it was found that thalassemia major is the most frequency type with high significant association with age group and education level. while showed only significant association with socio-economic-status.