| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 4 | Page : 137-144 |
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An analytical study on peripheral blood smears in anemia and correlation with cell counter generated red cell parameters
Ashutosh Kumar, Rashmi Kushwaha, Chani Gupta, US Singh
Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Correspondence Address:
Rashmi Kushwaha
Flat No. 504, T.G Hostel Khadra, Lucknow - 226 005, Uttar Pradesh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1658-5127.127896
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Context: Manual examination of peripheral blood smear in diagnosis of anemia has taken a backseat with the advent of automated counters. Though a lot of studies have been done to assess the efficacy and significance of red blood cell parameters in different hematological conditions fewer efforts have been made to standardize the visual examination of peripheral blood smears for diagnosing anemias.
Aims: Standardization and grading of abnormal red cell morphology in peripheral blood smear and counter based red cell indices in cases of anemia of various etiologies.
Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study of one year duration conducted in the Hematology laboratory, in a tertiary care hospital in North India.
Materials and Methods: In 60 anemic patients, automated counts and peripheral blood smear were prepared and evaluated by three observers, according to a red cell morphology grading guide.
Statistical Analysis Used: ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test were used.
Results: Objective grading of peripheral blood smears in cases of anemia have a good inter observer correlation and hence have reduced subjective variation. Manual parameters like microcytosis, macrocytosis and hypochromia expressed as a percentage, have shown significant correlation, with their corresponding automated parameters, and the regression model so generated may provide a novel way for quality control of automated counters, if calculated for different models.
Conclusions: Even in the age of molecular analysis, the blood smear remains an important diagnostic tool and sophisticated modern investigations of hematologic disorders should be interpreted in the light of peripheral blood features as well as the clinical context. |
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