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Frequencies of the Hereditary Hemochromatosis Allele in Different Populations. Comparison of Previous Phenotypic Methods and Novel Genotypic Methods

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Abstract

Aim

The frequencies of the hereditary hemochromatosis allele were compared for different populations assessed by previous phenotypic methods and the present genotypic methods.

Methods

From a literature survey, the calculated hemochromatosis allele frequencies from 16 studies using phenotypic biochemical markers (threshold levels for transferrin saturation [range, 46%–70%] and serum ferritin [range, 164–700 µg/L]) were compared with allele frequencies of the Cys282Tyr mutation of the hemochromatosis gene reported in 19 genotypic studies.

Results

Calculated phenotypic allele frequencies are high in Scandinavia: Iceland, 6.1% to 7.4%; Norway, 5.8%; central Sweden, 6.3% to 6.9%; Denmark, 6.1%. Frequencies are similarly high in Wales, Canada, Utah, South Africa, and Australia (range, 5.2%–9.8%). Frequencies are low in Finland (1.9%) and northern Italy (4.5%). Genotypic allele frequencies of the Cys282Tyr mutation are likewise high in Scandinavia. Frequencies are high in the United Kingdom and northern France and low in Finland, central Germany, northern Italy, and Greece. The phenotypic-genotypic ratios of the hemochromatosis homozygosity frequencies for the same geographic area were calculated. A ratio of 1.0 indicates that the 2 methods give similar results. In 3 studies, the ratio was above 1.0, the highest ratio of 1.67 being reported from Italy. In most studies the ratio was slightly below 1.0 (0.71–0.97). The lowest ratio was found in Finland (0.33).

Conclusion

In most studies there was good agreement between the hemochromatosis allele frequencies determined by phenotypic and genotypic methods. A high ratio (northern Italy) may indicate that phenotypic selection criteria were too loose and/or that causes of iron overload other than the Cys282Tyr mutation are frequent in the region. A low ratio (in Finland) may indicate phenotypic selection criteria that were too stringent and/or a low penetration rate of the mutation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine B, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Nils Milman

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Næstved Hospital, Næstved, Denmark

    Palle Pedersen & Gitte Vedel Melsen

  3. Department of Medicine and the Blood Bank, Landssukrahusid, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

    Torkil á Steig

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  1. Nils Milman
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  2. Palle Pedersen
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  3. Torkil á Steig
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  4. Gitte Vedel Melsen
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Correspondence to Nils Milman.

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Milman, N., Pedersen, P., á Steig, T. et al. Frequencies of the Hereditary Hemochromatosis Allele in Different Populations. Comparison of Previous Phenotypic Methods and Novel Genotypic Methods. Int J Hematol 77, 48–54 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02982602

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