Correlation Analysis of Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Thalassemia Patients

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by impaired hemoglobin synthesis, often requiring lifelong transfusions and iron chelation therapy. The interplay between hematological and biochemical markers in thalassemia patients remains critical for clinical monitoring and early detection of complications. This study aims to evaluate the correlations among key hematological and biochemical parameters—including White Blood Cells (WBCs), Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT), and Serum Ferritin (S. ferritin)—alongside demographic factors such as age and sex in thalassemia patients. Methods: A total of 40 thalassemia patients were included in a cross-sectional study design. Correlation analyses were performed using Pearson’s coefficients to identify significant linear and monotonic associations among the studied variables. Results: A strong positive correlation was consistently observed between GOT and GPT across all statistical methods, indicating shared hepatic involvement, likely due to iron overload. A significant negative correlation was also found between WBCs and serum ferritin, suggesting potential immune or inflammatory alterations associated with iron metabolism. No significant associations were found between liver enzymes and serum ferritin, nor between any of the studied biomarkers and demographic factors (age, sex). Conclusions: The study highlights key biochemical and hematological relationships in thalassemia patients, particularly the liver enzyme association and the inverse link between WBCs and ferritin. These findings underscore the importance of integrated biomarker analysis for disease monitoring. Future studies with larger cohorts and comprehensive clinical data are recommended to further validate these relationships and explore underlying mechanisms.