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Microcytosis in Hodgkin disease associated with unbalanced globin chain synthesis
Author(s) -
Fahey John L.,
Rahbar Samuel,
Farbstein Mark J.,
Forman Stephen J.,
Blume Karl G.,
Beutler Ernest
Publication year - 1986
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.2830230206
Subject(s) - microcytosis , microcytic anemia , medicine , mean corpuscular volume , gastroenterology , anemia , anemia of chronic disease , disease , thalassemia , iron deficiency anemia , iron deficiency , hemoglobin
A review of 162 patients with Hodgkin disease disclosed 36 with microcytic anemia (mean corpuscular hemaglobin values [MCV] <80 fl). Three patients had iron deficiency, and one had β‐thalassemia. Of the remaining 32 patients, 24 had microcytic anemia at the time of diagnosis of Hodgkin disease, and ten, including two patients with this finding initially, developed microcytic anemia in association with recurrence of Hodgkin disease. Seven patients with Hodgkin disease and normal MCV had normal α‐to‐β‐globin chain ratios (1.0 ± 0.14). Seven patients with Hodgkin disease and MCV <80 fl had significantly lower α‐to‐β chain ratios (0.66 ± 0.05). Twelve normal controls and four with iron‐deficiency anemia and MCV <80 fl had normal ratios. Anemia was corrected, and MCV returned to normal in all patients who responded to therapy for Hodgkin disease. In the two patients studied sequentially, abnormal α‐to‐β‐chain ratio was corrected along with the anemia.