Genotype–phenotype correlation related to lipid profile in beta-thalassemia major and intermedia in southern Iran

BackgroundBeta-thalassemia is commonly associated with lipid abnormalities. The aim of this study was to search for links between these lipid alterations and different types of β-thalassemia mutations.MethodsThe study, conducted from 2009 to 2010, included 100 patients with thalassemia major (TM) and 100 with thalassemia intermedia (TI). The control group was selected from 100 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with normal hematologic indices. Serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG), were determined and their relationship with different covariates, including different β-globin gene mutations, was analyzed.ResultsPatients with TI had significantly lower values for TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio compared with TM patients and controls (P < .001). TG was greater in TM compared with TI patients (P = .001) and healthy individuals (P = .007). Hemoglobin was positively associated with TC (P < .001), LDL-C (P = .004), and HDL-C (P = .01) in TM patients. Splenectomy correlated with greater TC (P = .006) and LDL-C (P = .01) in TI patients, but only with greater LDL-C in TM patients (P = .02). The average amounts of TC and LDL-C were lower in persons with the β0/β0 mutation compared with the β+/β+ group.ConclusionLower amounts of TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were seen in TI patients compared with TM patients and healthy individuals. The severity of the genotype (ie, β0 type mutations compared with β+ type mutations) affected the degree of reduction in serum lipids.