1.Screening for thalassaemia among group of students of a higher institution – our experience
Norlelawati AT ; Abdul Wahab J ; Naznin M
The International Medical Journal Malaysia 2011;10(1):3-6
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder and is a significant public health alarm in Malaysia
with many not knowing they are carriers of this haemoglobin disorders. Materials and methods: This study
conducted a one off collection of blood samples from 72 Malays students of International Islamic University
Malaysia (IIUM) in Kuantan. Blood samples were subjected to conventional haemoglobin analyses that include
full blood count and picture, HPLC, Haemoglobin electrophoresis and H-inclusion test. All samples were also
genotyped for alpha thalassaemia–1 of Southeast Asia (a-Thal1SEA). Result: There were 17(23.6%) students
who were diagnosed as thalassaemia carriers. Out of this, four (5.5 %) and six (8.3 %) students were presumptive
β-thalassaemia trait and Haemoglobin-E trait as determined by the HPLC assay respectively. Nine
(12.5%) students were genotyped a-Thal1SEA among whom two were also β-thalassaemia carriers. All thalassaemia
cases had MCH of < 27pg. Nonetheless, two out of six Haemoglobin-E trait and three out of nine
a-Thal1SEA carrier had MCV value of >80fL. Two out of four (50%) presumptive β -thalassaemia trait and one
out of six (17%) students of presumptive Haemoglobin-E trait had family history of thalassaemia respectively.
Conclusion: The high occurrence of the three common types of thalassaemia carrier (β, Hb-E and a-Thal1SEA
thalassaemia) in our small group of subjects could be due to better participation of students who had family
history of thalassaemia. The study reaffirmed the importance of molecular study for detection of alpha-thalassaemia
and the use of MCH value of <27pg rather than MCV value of < 80fL for prediction of thalassaemia.
2.Thalassaemia: A Study on The Perception of Patients and Family Members
J Abdul Wahab ; M Naznin ; M Z Nora ; A R Suzanah ; M Zulaiha ; A R Aidil Faszrul ; W S Kamaruzaman
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2011;66(4):326-334
Marked improvement in the management of thalassaemia
has not been matched by progress in psychosocial
rehabilitation as thalassaemia continues to pose challenges
to patients and their family members. Few studies have been
carried out in Malaysia to look at such issues. This study is therefore to explore the concerns, beliefs and feelings about thalassaemia. It was conducted in the year 2009 over 7 months on “focus groups”, in patients aged 8-22 years and
parents attending Paediatric Clinic of Tengku Ampuan Afzan
Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang. Results showed that concerns
and adverse impact were related to lower grades in
education, poor self-image, less chance of employment,
marriage, financial burden and social integration.
Compliance to subcutaneous iron chelator was poor. There
were various concerns related to blood transfusion therapy.
It is evident that thalassaemia greatly affects the
psychosocial dimensions and a more structured long term
psychosocial support is needed to improve quality of life of patients.