Complete blood count in the elderly vs. selected biochemical parameters associated with inflammation. Results of PolSenior2 study

Introduction: Complete blood counts provide a lot of valuable information about the health condition. As the value of individual morphological parameters depends on many factors, the interpretation of the test result should be carried out taking into account clinical data and the results of other laboratory tests. Inflammation activates mechanisms that affect the amount of blood cells produced. Deviations in blood level of inflammatory markers (such as C-reactive protein (CRP), transferrin) and iron, may account hematological abnormalities. Aim: The assessment of the relationship between the examinated biochemical parameters and changes in selected hematological parameters. Material and methods: This analysis was based on laboratory data from 5623 participants of the nationwide PolSenior2 study, assessing the health of Poles over 60 years of age. Results: It was shown that in the study population with age, the concentrations of CRP, iron and transferrin change. Concentration of iron correlates positively with the concentration of transferrin, and negatively with CRP. It has been found that the incidence of anemia increases with age. Higher CRP levels and lower iron and transferrin levels were more frequently observed in the anemic group. Changes in the analyzed biochemical parameters correlated with a change (decrease or increase) in the red blood cell indices, the majority of leukocyte subpopulations and platelets. Conclusions: The analysis shows that inflammation, as expressed by changes in the concentrations of related biochemical parameters, can affect blood morphology. Therefore, when assessing abnormalities in blood morphology, the results of other laboratory assays, including biochemical markers associated with inflammation, should be taken into account.