Evaluating the Influence of Age and Gender on Hemoglobin Variation and Red Cell Characteristics in Anemic Patients of Dera Ismail Khan

Abstract

Anemia remains a major public health concern in Pakistan, particularly affecting vulnerable groups. This study aimed to assess demographic variations in hemoglobin (Hb) levels and red blood cell (RBC) indices Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) among different population groups in Dera Ismail Khan, a rural district of Pakistan. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using 210 anonymized complete blood count (CBC) reports obtained from local clinical laboratories in Dera Ismail Khan. Participants were categorized by gender (male, female, and pregnant female) and age (1–17 years, 18–39 years, and ≥40 years). Outliers were excluded using the interquartile range (IQR) method. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) were computed, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to compare means across groups, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.Pregnant females exhibited the lowest Hb (7.81 ± 1.42 g/dL) and MCV (58.52 ± 8.35 fL), indicating severe microcytic anemia, while males had the highest Hb (9.80 ± 1.47 g/dL). Children aged 1–17 years demonstrated significantly lower MCV (63.63 ± 7.92 fL) and MCH (18.80 ± 2.92 pg) than adults aged ≥40 years (MCV: 78.47 ± 10.33 fL; MCH: 26.05 ± 3.51 pg). ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences across gender and age groups for Hb, MCV, and MCH (p < 0.001). The findings highlight a higher prevalence and severity of anemia among pregnant women and children in rural Pakistan. Incorporating RBC indices alongside Hb measurements in routine screenings can improve anemia classification and support targeted interventions, such as iron supplementation and nutrition programs for high-risk groups.