Prevalence of neutropenia among adult Arabs in Qatar: Relation to other hematological parameters and anthropometric data.

Neutropenia ranges from a normal variant to life-threatening acquired and congenital disorders. This study aims at providing baseline information regarding the prevalence and spectrum of neutropenia in the Arab blood donors who are living in Qatar. This retrospective cohort study was conducted to review the data of healthy Arab individuals (≥18 years) who donated blood between January 1, 2015 to May 15, 2019. A complete blood count was performed using automated analyzers. The prevalence of neutropenia was 10.7%. The prevalence in females was 32% and in males, it was 6%. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below 1 × 109/L was detected in 10% of Arab females and 1.8 % of Arab males. In females, the neutropenic group had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels and higher red cell distribution width, and lower total white blood cells and lymphocyte counts (P < .001) compared to the group with ANC > 1.5 × 109/L. Significant correlations were found between the ANC and Hb (r = 0.33, P < .05) and ANC and total white blood cells (r = 0.45, P < .01). The prevalence of neutropenia is considerably high in Arab adult females compared to other ethnic groups. Besides the genetic constitution of Arabs, the lower Hb and higher red cell distribution width in females suggest that iron deficiency could contribute to the development of neutropenia.

Hematological indices reference intervals for a healthy Arab population in Qatar: Effect of age, gender, and geographic location.

ABSTRACT: Hematologic reference intervals vary with gender, age, ethnicity, and geographic area. Therefore, local or national laboratory reference ranges are essential to enhance the accuracy when diagnosing health conditions. Still, no comprehensive list of reference ranges tailored to the Arab population living in Qatar. Accordingly, this study aims at establishing a hematology reference guide for Arabs in Qatar.This is a retrospective study where 750 healthy volunteers (18-69 years) from 2015 to 2019 were included, analyzed by an automated hematology analyzer. Arab adults were divided into African (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco) and Asian (Syria, Lebanon, Jordon, Palestine, Qatar). The Cell-Dyn and Sysmex were used for measuring hematological parameters.The mean +/- 2SD were established for all the study groups. Arab males had significantly higher Hb, Hct, red cell distribution width, absolute neutrophil count, lymphocytes, and monocyte counts than females. Asian-Arab males had significantly higher Hb concentration and higher WBC, lymphocytes, and eosinophils than African Arabs. Asian-Arab young (>18: < 40 years) males had significantly higher Hb and lymphocytes and lower monocytes than older males (>40 years). African-Arab young males had significantly higher lymphocytes and lower monocytes than older males. Asian-Arab young females had higher WBC and absolute neutrophil count than older Asian Arabs.The findings of this study will help in establishing specific reference intervals in the Arab world. The differences in hematology reference intervals considering age, gender, and geographical location highlight the importance of establishing blood reference intervals in each country considering the ethnic diversity of each country.