Determinants of Variable Total Platelet Count in Healthy Plateletpheresis Donor

The platelet count in a healthy individual varies between 150 and 450 × 10⁹/L. This study explores the factors affecting this variation in platelet count in healthy blood donors selected for platelet donation. This retrospective study comprises an analysis of platelet donor data between the year 2016-2022. The pre-recorded donor details such as age, gender, blood group, body mass index (BMI), and complete blood counts were collected and analyzed using the software 'R' (version 4.1.0). The statistical analysis consists of a test of normalcy followed by descriptive details and advanced statistics such as correlation and regression analysis to predict the variables affecting platelet count. The p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. The median (IQR) of hemoglobin, platelet count, and total leucocyte count (TLC) was 142(135-150) g/L, 239(204-285) × 10⁹/L, and 7.6(6.4-8.8) × 10⁹/L, respectively. The platelet count was positively correlated with TLC (p = 0.000) and negatively with the age of the platelet donor (p = 0.001). The Kruskal-Wallis test detected significant differences in the platelet count among the ABO blood group (p = 0.008). Further, regression analysis confirms the independent positive association of total platelet count with the total leucocyte count (p = 0.000) and the negative association of platelet count with age (p = 0.004). This study concludes the strong dependency of total platelet count with total leucocyte count, age, and blood group.