Anemia in Patients with Coinherited Thalassemia and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Abstract

Thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency are genetic disorders that cause hemolytic anemia. In areas with high frequencies of both hematological disorders, coinheritance of G-6-PD deficiency with thalassemia can be found. Whether G-6-PD deficiency, coinherited with thalassemia, enhances severe anemia is still unclear. Hematological parameters between thalassemia carriers with G-6-PD deficiency and those without G-6-PD deficiency were compared. The G-6-PD deficiency was diagnosed in 410 blood samples from thalassemia patients using a fluorescent spot test. The levels of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Hb A₂/Hb E [β26(B8)Glu→Lys; HBB: c.79G>A] were measured using an automated blood counter and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. The G-6-PD deficiency was found in 37 samples (9.02%). Mean levels of Hb, PCV, MCV and Hb A₂/E were similar between the two groups. Thus, G-6-PD deficiency did not enhance red blood cell pathology or induce more anemic severity in thalassemia patients.

• Anemia
• Hemoglobin (Hb)
• Hb A₂/Hb E
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency
• Thalassemia

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank technicians at the Associated Medical Sciences Clinical Service Center, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang-Mai University, Chiang-Mai, Thailand for their help and assistance. The authors are grateful to Kallayanee Treesuwan (Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang-Mai University, Chiang-Mai, Thailand) for editing the manuscript.

Declaration of Interest

This study was supported by grants from the National Research Council of Thailand. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.