Clinical and hematological features among β-thalassemia major patients in Jazan region: A hospital-based study

CONTEXT: Beta-thalassemia is a prevalent hereditary blood disorder in Saudi Arabia. Various clinical manifestations and hematological abnormalities are common among these patients. AIMS: To evaluate the clinical manifestations and hematological parameters of β-thalassemia patients in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We included 36 β-Thalassemia major patients who admitted to PMNH during the period from February 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017. Clinical features were obtained via physical examination. The hematological parameters were obtained from the patients' medical records. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS. Continuous data was evaluated using independent sample t-test and Chi-square was used to evaluate categorical variables. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: Mean age was 18.56 ± 6.89 years. Males were 23 (63.9%). About 41.4% of patients were underweight. Exposing of the upper teeth was the most prominent feature (n = 19, 59.4%). The majority of patients were splenectomized (62.1%). About two-thirds have moderate anemia. More than half of the patients (58.8%) had high WBCs counts and 35.3% had a high platelet count, especially among those who underwent splenectomy. Approximately, two-thirds had a ferritin level higher than 2500 ng/ml. O(+) blood group was the most frequent blood group among the patients (n = 15, 46.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Deteriorated clinical and hematological parameters in our study justify the need for more efforts for regular evaluation and follow-up of the βTM patients and reevaluation of the management protocols to be improved or modified.