Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Testing Analyzer for Measuring Peripheral Blood Leukocytes
Published on: March 22, 2022
Correlates of leukocyte counts in men
D S Freedman1, M R Joesoef, J J Barboriak
1National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.
Insights
High white blood cell counts are linked to factors like race, smoking, and general health. These associations complicate understanding the link between leukocyte count and ischemic heart disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Previous studies suggest a link between elevated leukocyte count and ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk.
- Understanding factors influencing leukocyte count is crucial for accurate risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between leukocyte counts and various demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics in middle-aged men.
- To determine how these factors contribute to variability in leukocyte counts.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 3591 white and 506 black men aged 31-45 years.
- Analysis of leukocyte counts in relation to race, smoking status, general health perception, platelet count, triglyceride levels, heart rate, and medication use.
Main Results:
- Mean leukocyte count was higher in white men than black men and in current smokers versus nonsmokers.
- Leukocyte count correlated positively with platelet count, triglyceride levels, and heart rate.
- Leukocyte count was inversely associated with alcohol consumption and prothrombin time.
- Examined factors explained 37% of the variability in leukocyte counts.
Conclusions:
- Leukocyte count is influenced by multiple factors including race, smoking, and other physiological markers.
- The strong associations suggest challenges in isolating the independent effect of leukocyte count on IHD risk.
Abstract:
Because of previously reported associations between a high leukocyte count and risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), we examined the relation of leukocyte counts to various characteristics among 3591 white and 506 black 31- to 45-year-old men. The mean leukocyte count was approximately 1000 cells/microL higher among whites than among blacks, and approximately 1900 cells/microL higher among current smokers than among nonsmokers. The leukocyte count was also higher among men who had recently stopped smoking and among men who reported their general health as poor or fair. Independent of these relations, the leukocyte count was associated positively with the platelet count (r = 0.29), triglyceride level (r = 0.21), heart rate (r = 0.15), and use of corticosteroids and beta-blockers; and inversely with alcohol consumption and prothrombin time (r = -0.10). The examined characteristics could together account for 37% of the variability in leukocyte counts. These relatively strong associations indicate that it may be difficult to disentangle the relation of the leukocyte count to IHD from that of other risk factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Structure and Function of Leukocytes
White blood cells protect the body...
01:27Disorders of Leukocytes
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...