Association of thalassemia, hemoglobinopathies, and vitamin D levels with lipid profile in adults: Community-based research in southern Thai population

Abstract

This study explored the frequency of lipid-lowering drug use in the thalassemia population and investigated the association of thalassemia, hemoglobinopathies, and serum 25(OH)D levels with lipid profile and red blood cell parameters. A combination of cross-sectional and community-based studies was conducted with 615 participants from the southern Thai population. Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies were diagnosed using hemoglobin analysis and polymerase chain reaction-based methods to genotype globin genes. Biochemical parameters such as lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and serum 25(OH)D levels were assessed using standard enzymatic methods and electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. Differences in the means of hematological and biochemical parameters between the thalassemia and non-thalassemia groups were compared and analyzed. A significantly lower frequency of lipid-lowering drug use was observed in the thalassemia group. Thalassemia, with clearly defined abnormalities in red blood cells, is associated with a 4.72-fold decreased risk of taking lipid-lowering drugs. Among thalassemia participants, the total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly lower than those in non-thalassemia participants. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in carriers of thalassemia and/or hemoglobinopathies in the southern Thai population was 53 % in females and 21 % in males. The highest lipid profile was observed in samples without thalassemia and hypovitaminosis D. The genetics of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies with obviously abnormal red blood cells could explain the variable lipid levels, in addition to lipid metabolism-related genes and environmental factors. However, the effect of thalassemia on lipid levels in each population may differ according to its prevalence. A larger sample size is required to confirm this association, especially in countries with a high prevalence of thalassemia.