Volume 84, Number 10, 671-674, DOI: 10.1007/s00277-005-1091-8

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Hyperbilirubinemia and cholelithiasis in Chinese patients with hemoglobin H disease

W. Y. Au, W. C. Cheung, W. H. Hu, G. C. F. Chan, S. Y. Ha, P. L. Khong, S. K. Ma and R. Liang

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Abstract

Hemoglobin H disease (HbH) is a hemoglobinopathy peculiar to parts of the world with high incidence agr-thalassemia mutations. Among 90 HbH cases, 50 cases suffered from clinically significant jaundice (bilirubin >30 mmol/l), including 14 with severe jaundice (bilirubin >60 mmol/l). Cholelithiasis was found in 38 cases. The incidence is roughly eight times higher than that in background control population but 50% lower than that in beta-thalassemia. The risk of gallstones was related to higher bilirubin levels but not agr-globin genotype, sex, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels. Homozygotes or double heterozygotes for Gilbert alleles (17.2%), but not heterozgyotes (42.2%), were found to have a significantly increased risk of gallstones and jaundice. However, common Chinese Gilbert syndrome alleles do not completely explain the variable risks.

Keywords  Hemoglobin H disease - Gilbert syndrome - Gallstones - Jaundice

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