Physiotypic variations lead to variations within the normal range for red blood cells and haemoglobin levels in a healthy human population: An evaluation using generalised additive modelling and hierarchical structure analysis

Abstract

Objectives

Haematological parameters have been used for a long time for clinical evaluations, however the dynamics of these parameters has not been studied at length, in healthy populations. We aim to understand the dependence of haematological parameters on human physiotypes.

Design and Methods

Using an age and gender restricted healthy human (male) population (n = 100), we attempt to analyse the dynamics of haemoglobin and red blood cells, with reference to age, height and weight of individuals. Using advanced generalised additive modelling and classical hierarchical structural analysis we aim to establish relationships between these parameters and human physiotypes.

Results

We demonstrate that definitive relationships can be established for number of red blood cells, haemoglobin levels, RDW-CV, RDW-SD and weight, height and age of individuals.

Conclusion

This study provides a proof of principle, that haematological parameters are dependent on physiotypic variation, within the normal ranges in a healthy population. It may also be noted that there is a definitive influence of height, weight and age on normal ranges and stratification by these factors might therefore make reference intervals narrower, in turn, possibly allowing more precise clinical decisions based on the complete blood count (CBC).