High incidence of aplastic anemia is linked with lower socioeconomic status of Indian population. J Public Health (Oxf) 2016 Jun;38(2):223-8
Date
03/11/2015Pubmed ID
25755247DOI
10.1093/pubmed/fdv027Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84979243196 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: The incidence of aplastic anemia (AA) is common in Asia than in western countries.
METHODS: In a case-control study conducted at a tertiary care hematology center in northern India, 102 patients of AA and 201 controls of other blood disorders (OBD) were included. Sociodemographic data and exposure to drugs, toxins and radiation were collected from the study population using a standard questionnaire. Socioeconomic status (SES) was classified based on a calculated standard of living (SL) score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to delineate the factors associated with incidence of AA.
RESULTS: Patients with AA were significantly younger than those in control groups (mean age 27.5 ± 12.3 years, P < 0.01). The mean SL score was significantly lower in AA group (26.76 ± 12.88, P < 0.01) than in the controls. The mean monthly family income was significantly lower in AA group than in the controls (83.3% with monthly income <8000 INR, P < 0.01). On univariate analysis, AA group with lower SL score had >3 times higher odds of having the disease (odds ratio 3.41, 95% confidence interval 1.72-6.79, P < 0.0001) compared with the controls. On multivariate analysis, young age and low SES were found to be significantly associated with AA.
CONCLUSIONS: Lower SES is associated with higher incidence of AA in Indian population.
Author List
Malhotra P, Gella V, Guru Murthy GS, Varma N, Varma SAuthor
Guru Subramanian Guru Murthy MD Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Anemia, Aplastic
Case-Control Studies
Environmental Exposure
Female
Humans
Incidence
India
Male
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Smoking
Social Class
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tertiary Care Centers
Young Adult
