Copper deficiency can produce changes mimicking myelodysplasia, but its prevalence among haematology patients is unknown. This study evaluates the prevalence of deficiency in a population of patients with unexplained cytopenia(s) and dysplasia. Of 17 patients recruited, only one was found to have a low copper level. This is the first study evaluating hypocupremia in patients with isolated haematological manifestations. Our results suggest that copper deficiency is uncommon in this population, and the routine measurement of copper seems unlikely to be cost-effective. We recommend a risk-assessed approach to testing based on the identification of risk factors and of signs suggestive of deficiency.

铜缺乏症可产生模仿骨髓增生异常的变化，但在血液病患者中其流行程度尚不清楚。这项研究评估了原因不明的血细胞减少和发育异常的患者人群中缺乏症的患病率。在招募的17名患者中，只有一名发现铜水平低。这是第一项评估患有孤立性血液学表现的患者的低杯血症的研究。我们的结果表明，铜缺乏在这种人群中很少见，常规的铜测量似乎不太划算。我们建议在确定风险因素和迹象表明缺乏的基础上，采用风险评估的方法进行测试。