Introduction: Isolated neutropenia is a common problem in hematology practice. Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) is the common form of neutropenia worldwide and it affects mainly African and Middle Eastern ethnicities. Most cases of isolated mild and moderate neutropenia are benign and associated with no clinical significance. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of isolated neutropenia at high-altitude southern Saudi Arabia. Methods: A large dataset of complete blood counts (CBCs) was analyzed for walk-in patients of both genders, of age ranges from 12 to 60 years doing blood tests at a commercial lab for high altitude − 2,270 meters above sea level-(HA) group, and from sea level SL group. Abnormal biochemical or CBC results were excluded before analysis. Results: For HA group, 3123 CBCs were analyzed and for SL group 18,427 CBCs were analyzed. The prevalence of mild neutropenia, defined as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in the range of 1.0−.5× 10 9 /L, was 12.4% (n=399) versus 5.6% (n=1025), while moderate neutropenia, defined as ANC of 0.5-1 × 10 9 /L, was present 6% (n=191) versus 1.45% (n=269) in the high altitude and sea level groups, respectively. Severe neutropenia, defined as neutrophil count less than 0.5-1 × 10 9 /L, was rare in both groups. Conclusion: Isolated neutropenia is common in Saudis living at high altitude. While benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) is thought to be the major contributing factor to this high prevalence, other factors including environmental factors and altitude are possible contributing factors along with underlying ethnic neutropenia.
Introduction: The prevalence of iron deficiency, latent and symptomatic, is heterogeneous worldwide. In this study, we aim to explore the prevalence of iron deficiency, with and without anemia, among medical college females at the high Altitude Aseer region of Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: 200 female medical students were randomly sampled, between the ages of 19 and 27 years. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count (CBC) values and serum ferritin determination. Questionnaires were completed in order to collect demographics, medical history, and socioeconomic information of the participants. Results: Prevalence of overall iron deficiency was high (63%, serum ferritin <20 μg/L, 52.5%, ferritin <15 μg/L). Anemia, adjusted for high altitude (defined as less than 13 g/dL was present in 41 participants (20.5%) and 12 (6.5%) have Hb <12 g/dL. Iron-deficiency anemia (Hb <13 g/dL and serum ferritin <15 μg/L) was present in 35 (17.5%). Personal and family history of anemia and poor animal product containing meals were positively correlated with the presence of iron deficiency state. Neither symptoms of anemia, nor the presence of menorrhagia correlate with the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: Iron deficiency with and without anemia is a very common and condition in young females’ population at high altitude. Implementing a lab method to screen for anemia on vulnerable populations is needed. Frequently asymptomatic, the primary care providers should maintain a high degree of suspicion in order to initiate screening for iron status.
Objective Isolated mild neutropenia is a common clinical problem in some ethnicities including Arabs and Middle Eastern population. The current study aims to authenticate the prevalence of isolated neutropenia in Southern and Southwestern Saudi Arabia, explore the effect of altitude or regional differences and to suggest a new reference range for neutrophil count. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, laboratory results of a commercial laboratory were screened over a period of 5 years (2016–2020) in seven different cities of different altitudes in South and southwestern Saudi Arabia. Participants’ laboratory investigations were reviewed and excluded for any abnormal complete blood count, renal profile, liver profile, lipid profile, thyroid function test, fasting blood glucose, or HbA1c findings. Descriptive analysis and 95th percentile range were calculated using standard statistical methods. Results A total of 91,880 complete blood count results were included in the final analysis. Isolated neutropenia was common laboratory finding, with a prevalence ranging from 11% to 23%. The 2.5th percentile of the neutrophil count was lower than currently utilized 1.5×10 9 /L in all studied seven cities. Conclusion Mild to moderate neutropenia is common in Southern and Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) likely explains this high prevalence. Since BEN has no clinical significance, the reference range for normal neutrophil counts needs to be adjusted to reflect the effect of BEN.
Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a co-factor necessary for DNA synthesis. Folate deficiency is associated mainly with hematological findings including megaloblastic anemia and pancytopenia. Many countries have mandated grain fortification with micronutrients including folic acid resulting in a reduced prevalence of folate deficiency. Saudi Arabia imports most of the grain products and folate is usually added after milling. There are no local studies to address the folate deficiency prevalence. In this study we aimed to analyse the clinical appropriateness of ordering practice of serum Folate level. Method We reviewed all serum folate requests received at our laboratory in Aseer Central Hospital over one-year period (July 2018 June 2019). We collected patients’ demographics from the electronic requests along with biochemical results of serum B12, ferritin and CBC results. We assessed appropriateness of orders against pre-specified criteria and applied statistical tests to explore for any association or significance. Results Serum folate requests from 614 patients were received during the study period. Serum B12 (543, 88%), and serum ferritin (511, 83%) were concurrently requested. The most common reason for request, when available, was anemia. Anemia was present in (313, 51%) of the subjects for which microcytic anemia was predominant (199, 63.5%), followed by normocytic anemia (101, 33%) and only 10 subjects had macrocytic anemia (3.2%). The most common hematinics’ deficiency was ferritin (30%) followed by B12 (17.2%). Serum folate deficiency was low, observed in only 2.8%. Low folate levels were not significantly different between the group with anemia and the normal hemoglobin group. Conclusion This study identifies a commonly inappropriate serum folate ordering practice that includes ordering all hematinics at the same visit without considering the possible anemia etiologies. The excessive requests might be related to doctors attempt to avoid multiple blood extractions and to try to reduce the time for diagnosis. These policies are generating unnecessary costs and time loss. Education, phasing out or restricting some tests and introducing laboratory policies like sample storing could help reduce unnecessary requests.
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