[Hemogram reference values: study of 1000 healthy adults from Sfax]

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Population Health

Context:

• Establishing accurate hemogram reference values is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions.
• Previous reference ranges may not accurately reflect the specific demographic characteristics of the Tunisian population.
• Understanding age and sex variations in blood parameters is essential for precise clinical interpretation.

Purpose:

• To determine hemogram reference values in healthy adults from Sfax, Tunisia.
• To compare these values with existing literature data.
• To analyze age and sex-specific variations in blood count parameters.

Summary:

• Hemogram parameters were analyzed in 1000 blood donors using a Coulter ACT10 analyser, with manual differential leukocyte counts.
• Significant differences were observed between sexes for erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell indices, with women generally having lower values.
• Age-related variations were noted in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and leukocyte counts. Neutrophil and eosinophil counts were higher in women, while lymphocytes decreased with age in both sexes. Platelet counts were higher in women.
• The study highlights significant sex and age differences in various hemogram parameters within the Sfax adult population.

Impact:

• Provides essential baseline hematological data for the Sfax region, aiding clinical diagnostics.
• Highlights the need for region-specific reference values, challenging the applicability of generalized ranges.
• Informs future research directions for establishing comprehensive Tunisian population reference values.