| Summary: | 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.
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