Reference Ranges of Haematological Parameters in Apparently Healthy Elderly Persons in Nnewi Metropolis, Nigeria

Backgorund: Haematological parameters are important constituent of blood used to monitor immune system, disease progression and therapeutic response. This can be achieved through porper reference values in clinical laboratory.

Aim: This study was aimed at determining reference values of haematological parameters in apparently healthy elderly persons in Nnewi and compared with the local reference values.

Study Design: This was a comparative study

Duration of Study: The study lasted for a period of one year between Januray to December, 2020.

Methodology: This study involved a total of 105 apparently healthy elderly persons aged 60 years. Full blood counts (FBC) were determined using five part haematological analyser by Mindray, Germany. Data were expressed as percentiles, mean and standard deviation. The differneces in gender was determined using using independent t-test and one way ANOVA was used to compare the means between different age groups and BMI

Results: The study established reference ranges of WBC, lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte, basophil, RBC, Hb, HCT, MCHC, MCH, MCV, RDW-CV RDW-SD, Platelet count, MPV, PDW and Plateletcrit for the elderly in the Nnewi metropolise. Neutrophil, monocyte, HCT, MCH and MCV were lower than the local used reference ranges used in Nnewi. Lymphocyte, monocyte, RBC, MCHC, MCH, RDW-CV, RDW-SD MPV and PCT were higher than the local used reference ranges in Nnewi. PCV and Hb were significantly higher in males than females (p=<0.001). Monocyte increased with increase in BMI (p=<0.001).

Conclusion: In conclusion, normal reference values obtained in this study notably vary with the local reference ranges used in Nnewi. There is need for each locality to have separate reference ranges for the elderly for their proper diagnosis and management.