frequency of glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Pnjabis and Pathans

To find the frequency of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency in healthy young adult male population of various ethnic groups and sub-groups of Punjabis and Pathans. This Cross-sectional comparative study in Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from Jan-Dec 2000. Eight hundreds apparently healthy unrelated adult males [Punjabis: 400 and Pathans: 400] were screened for G6PD deficiency by a commercial qualitative screening test kit. Out of 800 subjects, 47 [5.9%] were G6PD deficient [95% CI: 4.2-7.5%]. The frequency in Pathans [8.3%] was significantly higher than in Punjabis [3.5%] [p=0.006]. There were also differences in the frequency of G6PD deficiency among the sub groups of Punjabis and Pathans. G6PD deficiency is a fairly common abnormality in Punjabis and Pathans. Such individuals are highly susceptible to develop acute haemolytic episodes by a variety of stimuli including some of the commonly used drugs