Frequency of the ABO and Rh blood groups in worker population from Valle de Aburra and the Near East of Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract

Problem: the ethnic-geographic frequency of the ABO and Rh blood systems is variable and its knowledge is useful for multiple issues. There is not updated distribution of such frequencies in Antioquia.

Objectives: to phenotypify the ABO and Rh systems in Antioquia worker population.

Methodology: A prospective descriptive study in active worker population affiliated to the Social Health Insurance (Seguro Social) in Antioquia (Colombia). Commercial monoclonal antibodies were used.

Results: 827 workers were studied: 50.2% reside in Valle de Aburra and 49.8% in the Near East Antioquia. 47.1% were men. The Phenotype O has a frequency of 59.7%, A has 31.6%, B has 7.4%, AB has 1.3% and the Rh (+) has 89%. There is no significant association between ABO group and Rh factor. The O-Rh (+) groups are in 52%, the A-Rh (+) are in 28% , the B-Rh (+) are in 6%, the AB-Rh (+) are in 1% ; whereas the O-Rh (-) is in 7%, the A-Rh (-) are in 3%; and the other combinations have a frequency <1%. There is a statistically significant association between region and ABO (P = 0.0218457), but not between region and Rh factor. The distribution of the ABO groups and Rh factor according to sex is similar between men and women (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: ABO group frequencies correspond to a population with high crossbreeding, totally different from the ones found in some Colombian Amerindian groups with few or null mixture, where the O group is in 100% of the people.