Comparison of hematological parameters with peripheral smear in anemia

Abstract

Background: Being one of the most common disorder faced by our society, the correct diagnosis of anemia is important for better clinical outcome. Aim & Objectives: The present study was designed to find out the association between cell counter generated hematological parameters and peripheral smear findings in the diagnosis of anemia. Material and Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in South India. 110 patients with low Hb level with reference to age and sex were selected for the comparison of PS findings with that of cell counter parameters. Results: Among 110 cases 56 (50.9%) were females and 54 (49.1%) were males and the common age group affected is elderly >60 years (33 out of 110 cases, 30%) followed by patients in 4th and 5th decades (32 out of 110, 29%).Milder forms of anemia was seen to be common in females, while severe anemia was seen more in males. The most common morphological type of anemia was normocytic normochromic anemia (57%) followed by microcytic hypochromic anemia (44%). Among the 57% of normocytic normochromic anemia cases, 41(72%) cases were males and among the 44% of microcytic hypochromic anemia, 36 (82%) cases were females. There were few discrepancies between the diagnosis anemias on peripheral smear and cell counter generated parameters. 41 cases of Microcytic hypochromic anemia had high RDW which is normally expected but 29 cases of Normocytic normochromic anemia showed raised RDW. However the mean RDW value among the cases of microcytic hypochromic anemia and normocytic normochromic anemia with raised RDW was 17.7% and 14.1% respectively.Conclusion: Despite all the advances in laboratory sciences, peripheral smear examination remains an important diagnostic tool in diagnosis of anemia.