How common is hemoglobin D disease?

Hemoglobin D disease is classified as a rare condition. This is due to its relatively low prevalence in the general population compared to other hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Hemoglobin D is a variant of normal hemoglobin and results from a point mutation in the beta-globin gene, which can lead to mild to moderate anemia in individuals with the disease.

Its rarity can be attributed to the specific genetic background required for its manifestation, as it typically occurs more frequently in certain ethnic groups, such as people of Indian or Mediterranean descent. In a broader context, the overall occurrence of hemoglobin D disease is significantly lower in comparison to more common hemoglobin variants, making it an uncommon finding in clinical practice.