Prevalence of Haemoglobinopathies in Punjabi population

The prevalence of thalassemias and various hemoglobinopathies are a major public health problem in Punjabi population. These cases are mainly overlooked and thus only treated as a part of anaemia. Thus it is worthwhile to study its prevalence and occurrence. The main objective of our study was to find the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in Punjab and implement strategies for preventing marriages between two carriers for effective control of these diseases.

This was a case control retrospective study for screening for haemoglobinopathies of patient samples collected in biochemistry clinical laboratory, SGRDIMSAR, Vallah, Amritsar from 1 June 2015 to 30 May 2016 using automated Interlab Genios S electrophoresis system. EDTA samples were collected and 30 μL of lysate was applied on Genios S electrophoresis system in alkaline haemoglobin buffer. The results were interpreted by densitometer were obtained as a graph and interpreted.

In this study, out of 187 samples we received for screening of haemoglobinopathies, total of 143 (78.5%) were found to have a normal electrophoretic pattern and 44 patients (21.4%) were found to have one or other form of hemoglobinopathy.

Punjabi population has high prevalence of haemoglobinopathy screening being an affordable and accessible way to detect carriers, it should be made mandatory in high schools, before marriage and antenatal clinics. Also, public education and awareness for screening in areas of high prevalence of consanguinity should be made mandatory.