Prevalence and Effect of Hemoglobin E Disorders on HbA1c and Lipid Profile of Diabetic Patients at Surin Hospital
Wasunt Srisurin MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Surin Hospital, Surin, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the prevalence of hemoglobin E disorders (HbE) and their characteristics in diabetic patients at Surin
Hospital. Effects of HbE on HbA1c measurement and other variables in diabetic patients were also studied.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was performed. One thousand nine hundred seventy eight patients were
recruited randomly using a systemic random sampling method. HbE screening test and Hb typing was performed. HbA1c
was measured by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay.
Results : The prevalence of homozygous HbE (HbEE) and HbE trait were 7.9% and 35.3% respectively. When compared with
the negative screening group, the variables that were significantly higher in the HbEE group were hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
< 6.5% (p < 0.010), HbA1c < 7% (p < 0.010), serum cholesterol level (CHOL) < 200 mg/dl (p < 0.010), low density
lipoprotein (LDL) < 100 mg/dl (p = 0.021), and anemia by Hb measurement (p < 0.010). The adjusted odds ratio and 95%
confidence interval (CI) of HbA1c < 6.5% and < 7% in HbEE when compared with the negative screening group were 5.16
(3.55-7.50) and 4.60 (3.04-6.97) respectively. The means of HbA1c, Hb, CHOL, and LDL in HbEE were significantly lower
than the other groups (p < 0.010 in all variables). The adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI of HbA1c < 6.5% and < 7% in HbE
trait when compared with the negative screening group were 1.12 (1.01-1.24) and 1.17 (1.06-1.29) respectively.
Conclusion : Hemoglobin E disorders are highly prevalent in diabetes patients at Surin Hospital. HbA1c, CHOL, and LDL
were significantly lower in diabetic patients with HbEE.
Keywords : Hemoglobin E disorder, HbEE, HbE trait, Diabetes mellitus, DM, Surin Hospital
