Anemia among Medical Students from Jakarta: Indonesia-Iron Deficiency or Carrier Thalassemia?

BACKGROUND: Anemia, a global health concern, affects one-fourth of the global population, particularly women. In Indonesia, its prevalence is 23.7%, with 32.0% among 15-24 year-olds. Factors include poor nutrition, infectious diseases, chronic diseases, inherited disorders, and inadequate healthcare access. This study aimed to investigate anemia prevalence and its etiology among medical students from Jakarta.

METHODS: This study was a descriptive research with a cross-sectional approach. Undergraduate students aged 18-23 years old were selected and consented to participate by a consecutive nonrandom sampling methods. Laboratory blood data were evaluated (including Hb, MCV, MCH, HbA2 , and ferritin levels) and DNA was isolated to confirm the type of thalassemia carrier.

RESULTS: In total, 140 medical students, mainly female, were recruited. Anemia was found in 13.6% (11.4% had low MCV and/or MCH), and 16.5% had low MCV and/or MCH without anemia. Hb electrophoresis revealed high HbA2 values, suggesting the HbE variant (2.1%), and β -thalassemia carrier (0.7%). DNA analysis confirmed the cd26 mutation and heterozygous IVS1nt5. Among those without anemia, 5% had α-deletion , while in the group with anemia, 1.4% had α-deletion (with coexistent IDA), 3.6% had α-deletion , and 0.7% had β-mutation .

CONCLUSION: DNA analysis can identify specific mutations associated with alpha-thalassemia, distinguishing between iron deficiency anemia and the alpha-thalassemia trait. Thalassemia screening should involve low MCV and/or MCH values as the first step (stage 1), followed by Hb analysis (stage 2) and DNA analysis (stage 3). In common areas, a combination of Hb and DNA testing is best. However, healthcare professionals must diagnose and treat thalassemia, as proper management relies on accurately identifying the underlying condition.