Routine Haematological Profile and its interrelationship with Leukocyte Profile: A community-based cross-sectional study from Central India

Abstract

Background: Community-based haematological profiling in rural populations remains poorly characterised, particularly with respect to the interrelationships among haematological parameters. This study evaluated the relationships between routine haematological and leukocyte parameters in a rural Indian population.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional haematological survey was conducted among adults from four villages in the rural field practice area of R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, during FAP and CAPP activities. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and complete blood count data were analysed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, binary and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Among the 421 participants, the overall prevalence of anaemia was 33.5% (n=141), with a highly significant predominance among individuals aged 18 - 40 years (p=0.008) and in females (p=0.008). Anaemia was significantly associated with a normal neutrophil count (p=0.019) and lymphocytosis (p=0.006). In terms of erythrocyte morphology, normocytosis was the most common profile, observed in 67.7% (n=285). Microcytic anaemia was twice as common among participants with lymphocytosis (41.5%, n=22; p=0.013). Multivariable logistic regression identified 18-40 years of age (AOR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.38–4.32), female sex (AOR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.18–2.82), and lymphocytosis (AOR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.22–2.79) as independent predictors of anaemia. Participants with lymphocytosis also had higher odds of microcytic morphology (AOR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.07–3.65).
Conclusion: Anaemia was found to be prevalent in the economically productive population, and more so, especially in females. The association between microcytic anaemia and lymphocytosis may be due to a high burden of chronic infections, which warrants further investigation.