Pattern of Haemoglobin Phenotypes and the Clinical Identity of Clients Tested at a Private Diagnostic Center in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Haemoglobinopathies are diseases of global importance and the countries with high disease burdens have inaccurate national data on the incidence of the various haemoglobin (Hb) phenotypes.
 Objective: To review the Hb phenotype distribution, the referral identity of patients, and the clinical reasons for phenotyping.
 Methods: A retrospective descriptive study conducted at a private diagnostic laboratory in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria. The anonymous results of Hb phenotypes of the patients determined using gel electrophoresis were retrieved from the laboratory information system (LIS).
 Results: There were 942 patients: 519(55.1%) males and 423(44.9%) females with median ages 30yrs (11months-89yrs) vs 27yrs (9months-89yrs), p=0.0018. The phenotypes were HbAA, 592(63.2%); HbAS(26.4%); HbSS(7.1%); HbAC(2.1%), HbSC(0.7%) and HbCC(0.4%). Of the total, 757(80.4%) were referred by health care providers and 185(19.6%) were selfreferred, and there was no association between gender and referral identity of patients. However, there were more males [353(46.6%)] with clinical reasons for referrals than females [94(12.4%)], p<0.0001, and annual check was the commonest reason for Hb phenotyping.
 Conclusion: Most patients were referred for Hb phenotyping and an annual health check is the commonest reason for phenotype requests. This emphasizes the need for policies to support national Hb phenotype/genotype screening programmes to aid the early detection of sickle cell disease.
 Keywords: Haemoglobin phenotype; clinical identity; private laboratory.