Heterozygous beta-thalassaemia as a susceptibility factor in mood disorders: excessive prevalence in bipolar patients.

Background: Previous preliminary reports have suggested potential interactions between microcytic anaemia and mood disorders.

Category: Clinical-Practice-and-Epidemiology-in-Mental-Health

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Background: Previous preliminary reports have suggested potential interactions between microcytic anaemia and mood disorders. In particular, heterozygous beta-thalassaemia has been implicated in the bipolar spectrum. This study surveyed relevant haematological parameters in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients with the aim of clarifying previous observations. Methods: Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) was analysed in 1014 consecutive patients diagnosed according to modified Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). Haemoglobin electrophoresis and/or chromatography was performed in blood samples from 143 patients with reduced MCV. Prevalence of heterozygous beta-thalassaemia was estimated based on the rates of patients with reduced MCV and increased haemoglobin A2 concentration. Results: MCV lower than 80 cubic micron was found in greater proportions among bipolar compared with the remaining RDC subgroups (183/732=25.0% versus 51/282=18.1%; p = 0.02; relative risk = 1.38; Fisher's exact test). This difference can mainly be attributed to heterozygous beta-thalassaemia, the estimated prevalence of which was 16.4% among bipolar and 9.9% among non-bipolar subgroups (p = 0.01; relative risk = 1.65). Conclusions: The results are consistent with the hypothesis that heterozygous beta-thalassaemia might play a role as a susceptibility factor in bipolar spectrum disorders in specific populations. http://www.cpementalhealth.com/content/1/1/6

Alberto Bocchetta

Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2005, 1:6

2005-06-01

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