BackgroundThrombocytopenia is a common finding in several diseases but almost nothing is known about the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in the general population. We examined the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and determinants of platelet count in a healthy population with a wide age range.Design and MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study on 12,517 inhabitants of ten villages (80% of residents) in a secluded area of Sardinia (Ogliastra). Participants underwent a complete blood count evaluation and a structured questionnaire, used to collect epidemiological data.ResultsWe observed a platelet count lower than 150x10(9)/L in 3.2% (2.8-3.6%) of females and 4.8% (4.3-5.4%) of males, with a value of 3.9% (3.6-4.3%) in the entire population. Thrombocytopenia was mild (platelet count: 100-150x10(9)/L), asymptomatic and not associated with other cytopenias or overt disorders in most cases. Its standardized prevalence was quite different in different villages, with values ranging from 1.5% to 6.8%, and was negatively correlated with the prevalence of a mild form of thrombocytosis, which ranged from 0.9% to 4.5%. Analysis of platelet counts across classes of age revealed that platelet number decreased progressively with aging. As a consequence, thrombocytopenia was nearly absent in young people and its prevalence increased regularly during lifetime. The opposite occurred for thrombocytosis.ConclusionsGiven the high genetic differentiation among Ogliastra villages with "high" and "low" platelet counts and the substantial heritability of this quantitative trait (54%), we concluded that the propensity to present mild and transient thrombocytosis in youth and to acquire Mild thrombocytopenia during aging are new genetic traits.

Analysis of 12,517 inhabitants of a Sardinian geographic isolate reveals that predispositions to thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis are inherited traits

Casula, Laura;
2011-01-01

Abstract

BackgroundThrombocytopenia is a common finding in several diseases but almost nothing is known about the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in the general population. We examined the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and determinants of platelet count in a healthy population with a wide age range.Design and MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study on 12,517 inhabitants of ten villages (80% of residents) in a secluded area of Sardinia (Ogliastra). Participants underwent a complete blood count evaluation and a structured questionnaire, used to collect epidemiological data.ResultsWe observed a platelet count lower than 150x10(9)/L in 3.2% (2.8-3.6%) of females and 4.8% (4.3-5.4%) of males, with a value of 3.9% (3.6-4.3%) in the entire population. Thrombocytopenia was mild (platelet count: 100-150x10(9)/L), asymptomatic and not associated with other cytopenias or overt disorders in most cases. Its standardized prevalence was quite different in different villages, with values ranging from 1.5% to 6.8%, and was negatively correlated with the prevalence of a mild form of thrombocytosis, which ranged from 0.9% to 4.5%. Analysis of platelet counts across classes of age revealed that platelet number decreased progressively with aging. As a consequence, thrombocytopenia was nearly absent in young people and its prevalence increased regularly during lifetime. The opposite occurred for thrombocytosis.ConclusionsGiven the high genetic differentiation among Ogliastra villages with "high" and "low" platelet counts and the substantial heritability of this quantitative trait (54%), we concluded that the propensity to present mild and transient thrombocytosis in youth and to acquire Mild thrombocytopenia during aging are new genetic traits.
2011
thrombocytopenia
thrombocytosis
genetic trait
Sardinia
geografic isolate
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Italy
Male
Middle Aged
Platelet Count
Prevalence
Prognosis
Risk Factors
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytosis
Young Adult
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/344159
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 29
  • Scopus 69
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 64
social impact