Indirect Evaluation of a Gene Frequency: Calculation of Beta-Thalassemia Frequency in Algeria Based on Associated Hemoglobin Variants Frequency
- 1 January 1984
- journal article
- research article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Human Heredity
- Vol. 34 (3) , 187-191
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000153460
Abstract
The gene frequency (q) of β-thalassemia (T) is more difficult to evaluate directly than the frequency of hemoglobin variants (V), Hb S and Hb C being the most frequent ones in Algeria. Among 150 subjects with a phenotype V, we identified 76 compound heterozygotes VT° (T° = β°-thalassemia) and 74 homozygotes VV: qT° is therefore practically equal to qV. Calculation based on the investigation of 54 subjects detected during the same period (33 VT among which 23 VT° and 21 TT among which 9 T°T°) yields qT = 1.43 qT = 1.43 qV. According to Cabannes [1965], qV is equal to 0.0113, qT is 1.43 × 0.0113 = 0.0162. This indirect method, based on investigation of patients, gives a less precise evaluation of gene frequency than a direct method based on large population screening. This evaluation, however, is sufficient to estimate the incidence of β-thalassemia and its impact from a public health point of view.Keywords
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