Premium
High prevalence of polyclonal hypergamma‐globulinemia in adult males in Ghana, Africa
Author(s) -
Buadi Francis,
Hsing Ann W.,
Katzmann Jerry A.,
Pfeiffer Ruth M.,
Waxman Adam,
Yeboah Edward D.,
Biritwum Richard B.,
Tettey Yao,
Adjei Andrew,
Chu Lisa W.,
DeMarzo Angelo,
Netto George J.,
Dispenzieri Angela,
Kyle Robert A.,
Rajkumar S. Vincent,
Landgren Ola
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.22040
Subject(s) - medicine , population , immunofixation , monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance , logistic regression , monoclonal , immunology , monoclonal antibody , antibody , environmental health
Chronic antigenic stimulation is associated with hypergamma‐globulinemia. Higher rates of hypergamma‐globulinemia in tropical populations are maintained even with migration to temperate regions. We conducted a population‐based screening study to assess the prevalence and risk factors for hypergamma‐globulinemia in Ghana, Africa. 917 Ghanaian males (50–74 years) underwent in‐person interviews and health examinations. Serum from all persons was analyzed by electrophoresis performed on agarose gel; serum with a discrete/localized band was subjected to immunofixation. 54 persons with monoclonal proteins were excluded and 17 samples were insufficient for analysis. Using logistic regression and Chi‐square statistics we analyzed patterns of hypergamma‐globulinemia. Among 846 study subjects, the median γ‐globulin level was 1.86 g/dL. On the basis of a U.S. reference, 616 (73%) had hypergamma‐globulinemia (>1.6 g/dL) and 178 (21%) had γ‐globulin levels >2.17 gm/dl. On multivariate analyses, lower education status ( P = 0.0013) and never smoking ( P = 0.038) were associated with increased γ‐globulin levels. Self‐reported history of syphilis was associated with hypergamma‐globulinemia. We conclude that three quarters of this population‐based adult Ghanaian male sample had hypergamma‐globulinemia with γ‐globulin levels >1.6 g/dL. Future studies are needed to uncover genetic and environmental underpinnings of our finding, and to define the relationship between hypergamma‐globulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and multiple myeloma. Am. J. Hematol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.