Hemogram components and platelets count variation in anemic patients attending Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Morang, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Anemia being the expression of the underlying disease is a global public health problem
affecting both developing as well as developed countries. The RBC indices and platelet count variation
among anemic patients are important to know their association for clinical implications.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study among anemic patients with hemoglobin
<10 gm%, attending Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepal from 15 May to 15 July 2020 were
analyzed for RBC indices and platelet count variation. Demographic data, RBC indices, platelet count
variation, and types of anemia were evaluated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used for correlating
the platelet count with RBC indices. A Chi-square test was used to know about the association between
the types of anemia and platelet count variation.
Results: Out of 150 anemic patients, the female to male ratio was 1.5:1, with the most common age
group between 40-49 years. There exist high differences between minimum and maximum individual
RBC indices (Hb, MCV, MCH, MCH) and platelet count values. The platelet count variation with RBC
values and MCV had a statistically significant positive and negative correlation respectively. However,
the correlation between platelet count variation with hemoglobin concentration level and type of anemia
was positive but statistically not significant.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that platelet count variation with RBC indices and types of anemia
correlated well among anemic patients. Such association will enable the clinicians for diagnosing and
treatment purposes.