title: Hematological indices in an older population sample: derivation of healthy reference values.
abstract: Factors affecting hematological values were explored, and healthy reference values were estimated from a cross-sectional survey of a population (n = 4433), ages 49 years or more, residing permanently in a defined geographic region. Nursing home residents were excluded. Details of medication use and medical history were obtained by interview, and participants were asked to return after an overnight fast for blood sampling. The participation rate was 82.4%, of whom 88.4% provided a fasting blood sample. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte counts were higher in men, whereas platelet counts were higher in women. Statistical associations between each hematological index and smoking, alcohol intake, use of certain drugs, chronic disease, and high creatinine values were tested by unpaired t-tests. Separate reference groups were defined for each hematological index by excluding subjects with any of the factors found to be of importance. The resulting reference values are particularly appropriate for evaluating hematological test results in older individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lazarus
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koutts
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000592:standards*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D003404:Creatinine