Prevalence and assessment of the impact of iron-deficiency anemia in beta-thalassemia trait subjects: A study from a tertiary care center of Western India.

INTRODUCTION

Beta-thalassemia trait (BTT) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) are the most common causes of microcytic hypochromic anemia (MHA). Concomitant presence of both BTT and IDA can cause a more severe form of anemia that may increase morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the present study was conducted to check the prevalence and assess the impact of IDA on various hematological parameters in BTT subjects.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted at the department of immunohematology and blood transfusion after taking ethical clearance and written informed consent from all the participants. One hundred and sixty-eight known cases of BTT were included in this study. Out of these, 88 were females and the remaining 80 were males with ages ranging from 9 to 65 years. Blood samples collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and sterile vacutainers were assessed for complete blood count, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin. All the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 28.0.1.1 (15).

RESULTS

The majority of the patients had MHA on peripheral blood smears. Thirty-nine (23.21%) out of 168 BTT subjects were found to have IDA. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration levels were significantly reduced in patients of Group I (BTT with IDA) when compared to Group II (BTT without IDA). The mean (± standard deviation) value of serum iron, total TIBC, and ferritin showed significant differences between the two groups.

DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSION

High prevalence of IDA in patients of BTT in the current study suggests that there is a need for careful evaluation in the differentiation and diagnosis of BTT and IDA, especially in females, as IDA is more common in females. Moreover, IDA has a significant impact on various hematological parameters in BTT subjects.