Key result
Beta-thalassemia major is associated with significantly reduced total serum cholesterol (SMD -3.54) and elevated triglyceride levels (SMD 1.91) compared to healthy individuals.
Why the study?
Patients with beta-thalassemia have a higher risk of metabolic disturbances, but literature presents conflicting results regarding abnormal lipid profile patterns.
Does beta-thalassemia alter serum lipid profiles compared to healthy individuals?
Meta-Analysis (n=3,246)
Does beta-thalassemia alter serum lipid profiles compared to healthy individuals?
Standardized Mean Difference: -3.54 (95% CI -4.442–-2.632)
p-value: p=<0.001
Patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia exhibit significant lipid profile abnormalities, including hypertriglyceridemia and hypocholesterolemia, which may impact cardiovascular risk.
May warrant lipid screening in beta-thalassemia major; leaves open causal cardiovascular links and intervention needs.
BACKGROUND: Patients with betathalassemia have higher risk of various metabolic disturbances. The literature presents conflicting results about the patterns of abnormal lipid profile among patients with betathalassemia. This systematic review aimed to assess dyslipidemia patterns among patients with betathalassemia when compared with healthy individuals. METHODS: The methods used were adherent to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Systematic searches of the literature were done across Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Regional Portal of the World Health Organization Virtual Health Library. Calculation of standardized mean difference (SMD) estimates and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were done through Jamovi software. RESULTS: The systematic review included 21 studies meeting the criteria for the analyses. Patients with beta-thalassemia major displayed significantly elevated triglyceride levels (SMD: 0.448, 95% CI, 0.214 to 0.682; P < .001) and reduced total serum cholesterol (SMD: -2.26 (95% CI-2.834 to -1.678; P < .001), as well as decreased levels of both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD: -1.88, 95% CI, -2.614 to -1.147; P < .001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD: -1.32, 95% CI, -1.786 to -0.860; P < .001). Similarly, beta-thalassemia intermedia patients exhibited comparable lipid profile abnormalities to those with beta-thalassemia major. Conversely, beta-thalassemia minor patients only showed significantly lower total serum cholesterol levels (SMD: -0.66, 95% CI, -0.860 to -0.472; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Evidence indicates alterations in lipid profile markers among beta-thalassemia patients. The findings indicate the importance of assessing hypertriglyceridemia and hypocholesterolemia in these patients, especially those with major and intermedia forms, as these lipid profile abnormalities increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Mohamed et al. (2024) conducted a meta-analysis in beta-thalassemia (n=3,246). beta-thalassemia vs. healthy individuals was evaluated on Total serum cholesterol in beta-thalassemia major (SMD -3.54, 95% CI -4.442 to -2.632, p=<0.001). Beta-thalassemia major is associated with significantly reduced total serum cholesterol (SMD -3.54) and elevated triglyceride levels (SMD 1.91) compared to healthy individuals.
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