A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THALASSEMIA PATIENT’S IN QUETTA, BALOCHISTAN
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Keywords
Hemoglobin (Hb), Iron Chelation Treatment (ICT), Thalassemia intermedia (Ti) Thalassemia Major(TM), Thalassemia Minor (TMi), Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia (TDT)
Abstract
Objective: To find out the socio-demographic and clinical profile of individuals with Thalassemia in Quetta, Balochistan. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder, characterized by improper synthesis of alpha and beta globin proteins of hemoglobin.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2021 at Thalassemia Centers of Bolan Medical Complex and Provincial Sandeman Civil Hospitals, Quetta. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from 306 (N) β-Thalassemia patient’s aged <10-50 years. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 with a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: Significant associations were found between age, socioeconomic status, consanguinity and education levels (p<0.01), while geographical residence showed non-significant associations (p>0.05). Thalassemia prevalence was highest among those <10 years (69.3%) and lowest among those 41-50 years (0.3%). Urban areas showed a higher prevalence (59.1%) than rural areas (40.8%).The lower socio-economic class showed a higher prevalence (80.1%) than the upper class (19.9%). Distribution of family history highest among one child patient (63.7%) from each family had the largest percentage followed by 02 child (25.8%) and 03 child patients was (10.5%) cases from each family with thalassemia. Also, in this study the number of dead cases in each family due to thalassemia complication was found high i-e (87.3%). Most of cases manifested under the age of 01year i-e (76.5%). In clinical traits maximum number (68.3%) of recorded patient’s followed by (81.6%) of patient’s had hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, while (31.7%) of recorded patient’s followed by of (18.4%) of patient’s had no hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Also showed a result of maximum number (96.7%) with splenomegally and minimum number of cases operated for splenectomy (Surgical removal of spleen) was (03.3%).
Conclusion: In Balochistan, Pakistan this is the first study on the socio-demographic and clinical aspects of thalassemia. The prevalence of thalassemia is impact by variables like consanguinity, poverty, illiteracy, and clinical complications worsen with advancing age. To address the unique requirements of thalassemia disease in this area, efforts should be concentrated on stringent preventative measures and healthcare programs.
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Shafi Muhammad Khosa
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Bolan Medical College, Provincial Sandeman Civil Hospital Quetta, Balochistan
Syed Muhammad Ishaque
Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Bolan Medical College, Provincial Sandeman Civil Hospital Quetta, Balochistan.
Ziauddin
Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology CASVAB University of Balochistan Quetta
Muhammad Afzal Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology. Bolan Medical College, Helper‘s Eye Hospital Quetta, Balochistan.
Abdullah Jan Panezai
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Loralai Medical College Loralai
Zahid Mustafa
Professor, Department of Biotechnology CASVAB University of Balochistan Quetta
Ikram Din Ujjan
Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Liaquat University of Medical Science (LUMS) Jamshoro, Sindh