The Variation in Anaemic Parameters in the Ethnic Groups of Pakistan

Abstract

Aims: To observe any diversity of pattern in the anaemic parameters in the major ethnic groups of Pakistan. Study Design: Observational, cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Creek general Hospital, Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan from October 2017 to March 2018. Methodology: 1200 adults above 18 years were included. Pregnant females, age less than 18 years, any severe organ insufficiency, stroke, neurodegenerative disease, known blood dyscrasias or terminal illness at baseline evaluation were excluded. Their ethnic background was grouped into Urdu speaking, Punjabi, Balochi Sindhi, Pashtun, Bengali, and Gilgit according to their place of origin, mother tongue or parents’ place of origin. The complete blood picture was performed to identify anaemia, grade the severity, classify the red cell indices and exclude any blood dyscrasias in each of the ethnic group. Results: Out of 1200 adults, 626(52%) were anaemic. In decreasing order, the most anaemic were Bengalis (57.6%), Sindhis (55%), Urdu speaking (54%), Pashtuns (54%), Balochis (52%), Gilgits Original Research Article Nageen et al.; IBRR, 8(2): 1-9, 2018; Article no.IBRR.42073