Estimation of Ferritin and Complete Blood Picture of Patients in Kirkuk City, Iraq
Abstract
Background: Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide attacking both high- and low-income countries. It is characterized by decreased hemoglobin (HB) levels and a reduced number of circulating erythrocytes (RBCs), resulting in an insufficient erythrocyte mass needed for physiological demands. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in General Hospital of Kirkuk city, Iraq. 48 patients were included and they were complaining of anaemia. Age and gender were recorded for all participants. Complete blood counts and ferritin estimation were carried out. Results: Erythrocytes numbers ranged between 3.5 to 6.4 x 106/μl. The highest concentration of haemoglobulin was found among age group ≥ 51-60 years old. Haematocrit (HCT) values ranged from 37.42% to 41.43% across age groups and the highest mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) was 84.1Fl. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) ranged between 26.3 to 28.5 pg among different age groups. The present study revealed also that mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) value ranged between 33.15 to 33.95 ± 0.46 g/dL among age groups studied. Ferritin levels among the studied age groups varied with the highest level observed in ≥51-60 age group and the value was 57.83 ± 22.12 ng/mL whereas the lowest mean was seen in 41-50 years age group with value equal to 32.25 ± 19.65 ng/Ml. Conclusions: Comparison of haematological parameters among the five age groups revealed no statistically significant age-related differences (P > 0.05). Although ferritin, lymphocyte count, MCV and haematocrit showed some numerical fluctuations between age groups, these variations were not statistically different. Erythrocyte count was the only parameter showing a statistically significant gender difference (P < 0.05) utilizing Mann-Whitney U test. Because only summary statistics were available, these data would be regarded as descriptive comparisons rather than indication of significant correlations.