TMPRSS6 rs855791 polymorphism influences the susceptibility to iron deficiency anemia in women at reproductive age.
BACKGROUND
Genome-wide-association studies have identified the TMPRSS6 polymorphism rs855791 has the strongest association with red blood cell indices or iron parameters in general population. Whether this genetic variant influences the susceptibility of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in women with menstruation has not been well studied.


METHODS
In this case-control study, we enrolled 67 women with IDA and 107 healthy volunteers, and analyzed their complete blood counts, rs855791 genotypes, and menstrual amounts. Menstrual blood loss was evaluated with a pictorial blood-loss assessment chart.


RESULTS
There were significantly fewer rs855791 C homozygotes in the IDA group than in the healthy group (11.9% vs. 25.2%, p = 0.03). The odds ratio (OR) of C homozygotes having IDA versus non-CC subjects having IDA was 0.4 (95% CI, 0.17 - 0.95, p = 0.04). When the analysis was confined to study subjects with menorrhagia, this difference became more prominent (9.6% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.01; OR, 0.27, 95% CI, 0.09 - 0.77, p = 0.01). For women with non-CC genotypes, there was an inverse correlation between hemoglobin levels and menstrual loss (p < 0.001); however, this association was not found for those with genotypes CC (p = 0.15).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests homozygosity for TMPRSS6 rs855791 C genotype has a protective role against IDA in women at reproductive age, especially in those with menorrhagia.
1. Division of Hema-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; 2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; 3. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Sung-Nan
SN
Pei
1. Division of Hema-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Ming-Chun
MC
Ma
2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; 4. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
Huey-Ling
HL
You
2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; 5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
Hung-Chun
HC
Fu
1. Division of Hema-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Ching-Yuan
CY
Kuo
1. Division of Hema-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; 2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Kun-Ming
KM
Rau
1. Division of Hema-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; 2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Ming-Chung
MC
Wang
2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; 6. Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Chien-Te
CT
Lee
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C504318:TMPRSS6 protein, human
iron deficiency anemia; menorrhagia; rs855791; single nucleotide polymorphism; transmembrane protease serine 6 (TMPRSS6)