Haemoglobin measurement is one of the
most frequently performed laboratory tests.
The haemoglobin level has well known
variability according to age and gender [1-
3]. However, the reference values are often
from elderly cross sectional studies of
younger subjects, and may not reflect the
populations’ actual distribution today.
Several lifestyle factors, including body
mass index (BMI) and smoking habits, are
associated with haemoglobin [4-7]. The
last decade’s changes in nutritional status
and lifestyle may influence on the
distribution of haemoglobin.
Although the interpretation of the
significance of high or low levels of
haemoglobin is central in clinical settings,
possible population based changes in
haemoglobin distribution have not been
subject to much study. Because
haemoglobin levels predict mortality and
morbidity [8-12], a population-based
change in haemoglobin level could have
significant implications for health.
Little is known about the distribution of
haematological malignancies within a
general population. Since haematological
malignancies comprise a heterogeneous
group of conditions [13], with various
grades of aggressiveness, several sources
of information are needed to address the
prevalence and incidence of the diseases.
Automated blood cell count including
haemoglobin measurement within a setting
of a population study, could be one of
these sources.
The present thesis is from a population-
based study of 20-49 year old men in 1974,
and from a study of men and women more
than 24 years in 1994-95
