SERUM LIPID PROFILE ABNORMALITIES IN β THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS IN KARACHI.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the lipid profile in beta thalassemia major patients and observe
its correlation with age and gender.
Methods: In this cross sectional study, conducted during 2013, 70 βTM patients ( 38 males and 32 females)
with mean age 19.92 who were undergoing periodic blood transfusions and desferrioxime as chelating agent
were recruited. 70 controls of matched age and gender were also included in the study. Lipid profile was done by
enzymatic colorimetric method on Micro lab 300 (Merck & Co Germany) and statistical comparison was done by
using student’s t test on SPSS: 17
Results: βTM patients showed significantly lowered blood cholesterol (105.5 ±19.2 mg/dl), LDL (44.23±19.4 mg/
dl) and HDL( 33±4.9 mg/dl) in comparison with controls (P value> 0.001) while TAG was level found to be increased(140.2±27 mg/dl) in comparison to normal healthy controls.
Conclusion: The mechanisms that may account for these findings are increased erythropoiesis and cholesterol
consumption along with iron overload and oxidative stress in βTM patients. Awareness of these findings is helpful
to avoid unnecessary evaluation and clinical consequences of impaired lipid profile in patients with β thalassemia
major
Keywords: Beta thalassemia major (βTM), Lipid profile.