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. 2018 Mar;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S41-S47.
doi: 10.1016/j.jegh.2017.12.001. Epub 2017 Dec 15.

Distribution of hemoglobinopathy disorders in Saudi Arabia based on data from the premarital screening and genetic counseling program, 2011-2015

Eman S Alsaeed  1 , Ghada N Farhat  2 , Abdullah M Assiri  3 , Ziad Memish  3 , Elawad M Ahmed  4 , Mohammad Y Saeedi  4 , Mishal F Al-Dossary  4 , Hisham Bashawri  5
Affiliations

Distribution of hemoglobinopathy disorders in Saudi Arabia based on data from the premarital screening and genetic counseling program, 2011-2015

Eman S Alsaeed et al. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

The prevalence rates of β-thalassemia (β-thal) and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Saudi Arabia are considered one of the highest compared to surrounding countries in the Middle East (0.05% and 4.50%, respectively). In this study, Secondary data analysis was obtained from the premarital screening and genetic counseling program (PMSGC), and included 12,30,582 individuals from February 2011 to December 2015. Prevalence rates (per 1000 population) for β-thal and SCD were calculated for carrier status, disease status and their combination. During the 5-year study period, the overall prevalence rate per 1000 population for β-thal was 13.6 (12.9 for the trait and 0.7 for the disease). The prevalence rate for SCD was 49.6 (45.8 for the trait and 3.8 for the disease). Rates for β-thal were found to decrease from 24.2 in 2011, to 12 in 2015. However, SCD rates remained rather constant and ranged from 42.3 in 2011 to 49.8 in 2015. The highest rate for both β-thal and SCD was observed in the Eastern and Southern regions. This result reflects major accomplishment of the PMSGC. This study recommends further improvement in preventive measures in high-risk regions, and enhanced community awareness to provide the highest rate reduction for these disorders.

Keywords: Hemoglobinopathy; Premarital screening; Saudi Arabia; Sickle cell disease; Thalassemia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Prevalence Rates of β-thalassemia° by regions and time, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2011–2015*. (°) β-thalassemia rates trait and disease status per 1000 are presented in a fluctuating pattern across 13 regions over a 5-year period. (*) P-value <0.0001 with the prevalence rate of β-thalassemia.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Prevalence Rates of high-risk presentation of Sickle Cell Disease by regions and time, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2011–2015*. Sickle Cell Disease rates (trait and disease) per 1000 are presented in a fluctuating pattern across 13 regions over a 5-year period. (*) P-value <0.0001 with the prevalence rate of β-thalassemia.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Prevalence rates for β-thalassemia and SCD carriers over time in the highest-rate regions**, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2011–2015 (**) Eastern region and Jazan.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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