Comparison of Various Lipid Levels in Patients with B-Thalassemia Major with that of Normal Individuals

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is the most common heterogeneous group of genetic disorders in which the production of normal hemoglobin (Hb) is partly or completely suppressed because of defective synthesis of one or more globin chains that vary widely in severity from asymptomatic forms to severe or even fatal entities. Aim of this study is to compare of various lipid levels in patients with b-thalassemia major with that of normal individuals. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 30 children (case) previously diagnosed as beta thalassemia major were evaluated for serum lipid levels who were admitted at the Department of Pediatrics in DMCH & Thalassemia center of Dhaka Shishu Hospital from January 2012 to December 2012. The control group included 30 ages & sex matched healthy participants. Serum lipids profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL­ cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol) as well as hemoglobin, MCV, MCH & MCHC were compared between the two groups. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Serum total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol concentrations were measured by using Photoelectric Colorimeter (ERMA INC, model no AE-30F, made in Japan) in clinical biochemistry department of Dhaka Medical College. Results: Hematological tests showed the mean haemoglobin level in thalassemia group was 7.23 gm/dl with standard deviation of 1.23 whereas in control group the mean haemoglobin level was 10.37 gm/dl with standard deviation of 1.22. There was significant differences between two groups (p=.001). Mean MCV, MCH and MCHC in thaiassemic group were significantly lower [69.83 fl (SD 8.34), 23.10 pgm (SD 3.57) and 28.03% (SD-2.58)] than those in their control counterpart [8323 fl (SD 4.97), 29.23 pgm (SD 2.43) and 31.20% (SD-1.83)] respectively (p = 0.001 in all parameters). Beta thalassemia major patients had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) compare with controls (p<0.001). ......