People of which descent are more commonly affected with thalassemia?

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Thalassemia is a group of hereditary anemias most prevalent in specific ethnic groups.
The highest prevalence is found in people of Mediterranean descent, including those from Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.
This high prevalence has led to the historical name "Mediterranean anemia.".
The geographic distribution extends in a 'thalassemia belt' from the Mediterranean through the Middle East and into Southeast Asia.
The high carrier rate in these regions is thought to be due to a selective advantage against malaria for heterozygous individuals (carriers).

Option A: Thalassemia has a very low prevalence in Native American (Red Indian) populations.
Option B: This term is too broad. While Mediterranean populations are a subgroup of Caucasians, the high risk for thalassemia is specific to them and not to all Caucasian groups (e.g., Northern Europeans).
Option D: The prevalence of thalassemia in people of Mexican descent is not as high as in the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Southeast Asian populations.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Epidemiology and genetic basis of Thalassemia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A patient's ethnicity is a crucial piece of information in a clinical setting, as it can guide screening for certain genetic disorders like thalassemia.
Nurses should be aware of high-risk populations to ensure appropriate screening, patient education, and genetic counseling are offered.
What if? If a patient of Southeast Asian descent presents with microcytic anemia (small red blood cells) but is not iron deficient, the nurse should recognize that α-thalassemia is a strong possibility and anticipate orders for further genetic testing.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept of the question, which is the ethnic group most affected by thalassemia.
Recall the key epidemiological facts about thalassemia. The name 'Mediterranean anemia' is a strong clue.
Evaluate each option based on this knowledge.
Select 'Mediterranean descent' as it is the most well-known high-prevalence group for this disorder.
Eliminate 'Red Indian' and 'Mexican' descent due to low prevalence.
Eliminate 'Caucasian descent' as being too general; the risk is concentrated in the Mediterranean subgroup.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 146-148

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 649-651

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 33-53

Practise the full DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.