Hematological reference intervals for adult population of Debre Berhan town, North East Ethiopia

Accurate hematological reference intervals are critical for proper disease diagnosis and patient management. However, many Ethiopian laboratories rely on reference intervals derived from Western populations, which may not reflect the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors of the local population. This study aimed to establish locally derived hematological reference intervals for adults in Debre Berhan town, North East Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Debre Berhan town Northeast Ethiopia, from May to July 2024. Two hundred forty (120 male, 120 female) apparently healthy adults were recruited using convenient sampling. Sociodemographic data were collected via Interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaire through KoBoToolbox. Aseptically collected venous blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters using a Mindray 5150 analyzer. Data were analyzed using Stata version 17; the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were used to determine RIs, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess gender-based differences, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The established 95% hematological reference intervals (2.5th-97.5th percentile) were: WBC (3.2-9.5 × 10⁹/L), neutrophils (1.1-6.4 × 10⁹/L), lymphocytes (1.2-3.3 × 10⁹/L), monocytes (0.2-0.7 × 10⁹/L), eosinophils (0.01-0.4 × 10^9/L), RBC (4.04-6.08 × 10¹²/L), Hgb (12.3-18.8 g/dL), Hct (37.0-54.0%), MCV (81.6-99.8 fL), MCH (27.6-34.4 pg), MCHC (32.8-35.4 g/L), RDW-CV (11.8-16.2%), and platelet (136.0-407 × 10⁹/L). Males showed significantly higher median values for monocyte and eosinophil counts, RBC, Hgb, Hct, MCH, and MCHC compared to females. Conversely, females exhibited significantly higher median platelet counts than males (p < 0.05). The reference intervals reported in this study strongly advocate for the implementation of population-specific reference intervals, ensuring accurate diagnoses and enhanced patient safety. The observed gender-based differences in hematological parameters also underscore the importance of employing gender-specific reference intervals to improve clinical decision-making.