Resumo

REBORDAO, Manuela  e  SILVA, Manuel. Evaluation of microcytosis in an asymptomatic young adult population. Rev Port Clin Geral [online]. 2011, vol.27, n.6, pp.508-516. ISSN 0870-7103.

Aim: To identify the causes of microcytosis in an asymptomatic young adult population. Population and Methods: Candidates for induction into the Portuguese army who had passed the induction physical examination were included in this study. For subjects with a mean corpuscular volume less than 80fL (microcytosis), analyses of serum iron, ferritin and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed. Cases were grouped according to possible causes of microcytosis. Data on birthplace and place of residence were recorded. Descriptive statistics were analyzed with SPSS software. Results: We studied 2558 subjects. The prevalence of microcytosis was 3,2% (N=81) in this population, we identified four diagnostic groups. Group I (N=12, 15%) included ten subjects with hemoglobin S (70% from Lisbon and Setúbal), a carrier of hemoglobin C (from Lisbon) and a carrier of hemoglobin Lepore (from Santarém). Group II (N=16, 20%) was composed of heterozygous carriers of ß-thalassemia, mostly from Faro. Subjects in Group III (N=21, 26%) were mostly from Lisbon, with ferritin below 15ng/mL and were characterized by iron deficiency anemia. Group IV (N=32, 40%) included subjects with normal serum iron, ferritin and hemoglobin electrophoresis, suspected of being carriers of a-thalassemia, mostly from Lisbon. Conclusion: The evaluation of microcytosis in an asymptomatic young adult population using simple and inexpensive methods was robust enough to identify subjects with genetic abnormalities and iron deficiency. This study contributes to a better epidemiologic understanding of this population. It enables the introduction of preventive and health-promoting measures such as counselling and genetic guidance.

Palavras-chave : Erythrocyte Indices; Thalassemia; Hemoglobinopathies.

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