A Comparative Study of Peripheral Smear Findings with RBC Indices and Automated Analyzer Generated RBC Histograms in the Diagnosis of Anemia's

Abstract

Introduction The red blood cell (RBC) indices generated by cell counters help in the morphological classification of anemia. The importance of microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears (PBSs) stained by Leishman stain cannot be used alone when it comes to interpretation of the underlying cause of anemia. Hence, all three RBC histograms, indices, and microscopic examination of PBSs are very essential for a complete assessment of anemia. Aims and Objectives To diagnose the type of anemia by examination of PBSs, automated cell-generated RBC histograms, and RBC indices and to compare and correlate the findings of RBC indices and automated cell-generated RBC histograms with PBS examination. Materials and Methods This was a prospective comparative study done on 500 cases of anemia for a period of 5 months from August 2023 to December 2023 in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital and all the patients' RBC indices, RBC histogram findings, and PBS findings were noted and analyzed. Results Among 500 samples, normocytic normochromic anemia consists of the majority of the cases 272 (54.4%), followed by microcytic hypochromic anemia cases 183 (36.6%), macrocytic anemia cases 27 (5.4%), normocytic hypochromic anemia were 10 (2%) cases, and dimorphic were 8 cases (1.6%). When compared with RBC histogram, 265 (53.0%) cases showed normal bell-shaped curve, 188 (37.6%) cases showed left shift, 27 (5.4%) cases showed broad based curve, 10 (2%) cases showed right shift, and 10 (2%) cases showed bimodal curve suggesting normocytic normochromic, microcytic hypochromic, normocytic hypochromic anemia, macrocytic, and dimorphic anemia, respectively. Conclusion This study showed a well correlation in the findings of the automated hematology analyzer with the microscopic examination. Histogram alone could be used as a screening method but when combined with RBC indices and PBS findings, they act as useful supplements and by correlating findings of all three, we could diagnose the majority of anemia.