COVID-19 infection and beta thalassemia; a single center experience in Iran

Introduction: COVID-19 infection is a contagious acute respiratory syndrome, leading to a high mortality rate; it is also a systemic disease, and all people are at risk of being infected, including hemoglobinopathies patients. Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent hemoglobinopathies while Beta-thalassemia patients, are at risk for the deadly effects of the coronavirus. Objectives: This study examines the prevalence, severity, and mortality rate of COVID-19 infection in thalassemia patients of the southwest of Iran. Patients and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, from March 2019 to September 2020, 1000 beta-thalassemia patients, referred to Shahid Baqaei 2 hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, were screened for COVID-19. Results: Findings showwd 80% of thalassemia patients were women. Fever, body aches, weakness, and dizziness were the main symptoms of patients. Conclusion: This result suggests that hemoglobinopathies may affect infections and mortality from COVID-19 infection. However, our findings do not support a direct association between hemoglobin disease and COVID-19, and further research is needed to confirm this, but this might state the hemoglobin’s role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection.