Determination of Mean HbA2 Levels by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Individuals with Known Beta Thalassemia Trait

Abstract

Background: Pakistan bears the largest burden of thalassemia affecting 5-7% of its population. Patients with aberrations in the beta globin chain are beta thalassemics which are further classified as trait, intermedia and major. HPLC is considered as a technique of choice for screening thalassemias due to its reliability, speed and sensitivity.

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine mean HbA2 levels of known ? thalassaemia trait individuals on high performance liquid chromatography.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019. Thirty patients who were diagnosed as ? thalassaemia trait on cellulose acetate hemoglobin electrophoresis were included in the study. The blood samples were run-on High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and HbA2 levels were recorded on the proforma. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for HbA2, MCV and MCH. Frequency and percentage were calculated for gender. Effect modifiers like age and gender were controlled by stratification and post stratification independent sample t test was applied.

Results: Mean HbA2 levels of ?thalassaemia trait individuals on HPLC was 5.63%. There was no effect of age (p=0.07) and gender (p=0.14) on mean HbA2 levels. Mean Hb was 9.6g/dl. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were reduced with mean value of 56.7 fl and 18.5 pg respectively.

Conclusion: HPLC is a fast, precise, and reliable method for the early detection and management of hemoglobinopathies and their variants especially beta thalasemia trait. Raising awareness about thalassemia and its relatively simple prevention is crucial for the success of a thalassemia control program.