Lipid profile in minor thalassemic patients: a historical cohort study

Minor beta thalassemia is a disorder without any special symptom which only causes mild anemia. In thalassemic patients accelerated erythropoiesis and enhanced cholesterol consumption have been suggested as the dominant mechanism for low level of lipoproteins. Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and hence, low level of serum lipids can act as a protective factor. Because of the differences between social, economic, cultural conditions, dietary habits and genetics patterns among Iranians with other nations, this survey was conducted to verify these parameters among our thalassemia minor subjects. This study was carried out on 100 thalassemia carriers and 200 normal controls. Blood samples were collected and the biochemical evaluation was performed for measuring serum total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, VLD. Descriptive statistical tables, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square were used for analyzing the data. The average values of serum total cholesterol, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL in thalassemia minor subjects were 163.63 +/- 34.28, 159.74 +/- 157.54, 90.97 +/- 23.94, 34.97 +/- 8.07 and 73.44 +/- 72.43 mg/dl respectively. Moreover, the mean levels of total cholesterol, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL in normal subjects were 192.77 +/- 37.27, 155.67 +/- 109.58, 123.42 +/- 33.57, 38.02 +/- 15.6 and 71.57 +/- 50.5 mg/dl respectively. The amount of serum total cholesterol and LDL in thalassemia carriers was significantly lower than normal subjects that shows the potential decline of cardiovascular and brain vessels diseases among thalassemia minor subjects compared to control group while other factors between the two groups did not show any significant difference.