Epidemiology of G-6-PD deficiency in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is the most frequently encountered red cell enzymopathy affecting the pentose phosphate pathway of glucose metabolism. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological survey of G-6-PD deficiency in Saudi Arabia Twenty-seven thousand, four hundred and seven Saudis living in 31 different areas were included in the study. The activity of G-6-PD was estimated in red cell hemolysates using commercially available kits from Boehringer Mannheim GmbH and the units of G-6-PD activity were calculated as mU/109 erythrocytes. Overall frequency of G-6-PD deficiency was 0.0905 and 0.041 in Saudi males and females, respectively. When separated on the basis of the provinces, the highest frequency was in the eastern province in both males and females and the lowest was in the northern province. Further separation of the data was carried out and significant differences were encountered in the different areas within each province. In each area the deficient females encountered were significantly more that the expected number calculated using Hardy Weinburg equilibrium. G-6-PD deficiency frequently occurs in several areas of Saudi Arabia. In general, this corresponds to malaria endemicity in the past. The Hardy Weinburg equilibrium is disturbed either due to the high rate of consanguinity or to the inactivation of the normal X-chromosome [Lyons phenomenon] in the heterozygote females. Awareness programs about this frequent enzymopathy are needed in Saudi Arabia to prevent the consequences of the deficiency state