Β-THALASSAEMIA MAJOR, A CASE OF CONCERN: STATISTICAL STUDY IN KHYBER PAKHTOONKHAWA OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Aim: β-thalassaemia major cases need proper attention and timely blood transfusions. The present study comprising 320 patients was conducted to assess the effects of risk factors and their relationship related directly or indirectly to the disease of β-thalassaemia major at Peshawar, Pakistan.
Results: There were 191 male and 129 female patients in the study. Mean age of overall, males and females was 124.68± 54.52, 124.43± 55.20, and 125.05± 53.71 respectively. The mean transfusion age was 97.55± 38.72, 96.25± 38.75, and 99.47± 38.72 for overall, males and females respectively. It is found that 4 (included patient) out of 11 children of a family were affected with the disease (i.e. 36% of the family). The number of transfusions and the age of transfusions were significantly correlated (p < 0.05), to consider both the males and females patients together (overall) or separately. Similar results we obtained for considering the correlation between the height and weight of patients at the start of first and before the last treatments. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test also showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between the paired studied characters.
Conclusion: It was found that the disease was common in both the males and females patients. The number of transfusion showed a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with the age. Awareness about family planning and the test during pregnancy test plays a pivotal role in controlling the disease. Similarly reduction in the percentage of interfamily marriages and need of education for parents and people about the disease is also necessary.