[Frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups in patients with acute leukemia]

There are some reports about probable association between acute leukemia and special blood groups. Frequency of ABO and RH blood group is different in each population. This study was done to determine frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups in patient with acute leukemia and healthy population. This case-control study was done on 214 patients [132 males, 82 females] that suffering from acute leukemia as case group and 117026 individuals healthy population who were voluntary blood donors as controls in Mashhad, Iran during 2001-07. Age, sex, ABO blood group and RH blood group were collected from hospital files for each cases. Furthermore the results of ABO and RH blood groups of controls were collected. Data were analyzed with Chi-Square, fisher test and Odd's ratio. The frequency of A, B, AB, O and RH blood groups in cases were 23.8%, 32.8%, 7.0%, 36.4% and 90.7%, respectively. The frequency of A, B, AB, O and RH blood groups in controls were 29.8%, 27.4%, 8.9%, 33.9% and 88.3%, respectively. Odds Ratio test didn't show association of ABO and RH blood groups with acute leukemia. Odds Ratio test showed association of B blood group with acute leukemia in females [OR=0.571, 95%CI: 0.358-.0908, P=0.021]. This study showed although there was not any association between ABO and RH blood groups and acute leukemia but probably females with B blood group are more susciptible toward acute lymphoblastic leukemia

[Anemia in patients with hypothyroidism]

In hypothyroidism reduction of oxygen demand and supply can reduce the synthesis of erythropoietin and cause anemia. Autoimmune mechanisms causing hypothyroidism can also cause vitamin B12 deficiency and related anemias. Furthermore absorption of iron and other elements are disturbed and further accelerates anemia. Menorrhagia, is another cause of iron loss. Changes in WBC are not significant and platelet function may change which is not clinically important. We studied 30 new cases of hypothyroidism. Control group [32 person] was chosen among individuals having simple goiter and normal thyroid function tests. We compared hematological parameters in patients and control group. Comparison was made between patients with severe [TSH>70] and mild [TSH<70] hypothyroidism and relationship between severity and duration of hypothyroidism with these parameters. 1-anemia was found in 56.7% of patients [10% macrocytic, 16.7% normochrome normocytic and 30% hypochromic microcytic]. In control group 40.625% were anemic [6.25% macrocytic, 3.125% normochromic normocytic and 31.25% hypochromic microcytic].2- Hemoglobin, hematocrit and number of RBCs had statistically significant difference between patients and control group. 3- MCH, MCHC and MCV had no statistically significant difference between patients and control group. 4- There was no significant difference in the number of WBC and platelets between patients and control group. 5- No relationship was found between blood parameters and duration of the disease. 6- There was no correlation between severity of disease and hemoglobin and hematocrit values but MCHC was significantly lower in patients with severe hypothyroidism. Erythroid lineage showed the most important changes in hypothyroidism. All 3 types of anemia were found. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and number of RBC showed marked decrease in patients compared with controls. White blood cells and platelets had no changes in hypothyroid patients