Association between Red Cell Indices and Anthropometry of Blood Donors in a Single Institution Study

Abstract

Background: Hematocrit and other red blood cell indices are essential indicators of donor health and transfusion efficacy. While obesity and anthropometric factors such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference have been implicated in altering iron metabolism, the association between these variables and haematological parameters in healthy blood donors remains underexplored in the Indian population. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the association between hematocrit and anthropometric measurements—weight, BMI, and waist circumference—in voluntary blood donors at a single institution. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 100 healthy male blood donors. Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and complete blood count parameters, including RBC count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and packed cell volume (PCV) were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests and independent t-tests to assess associations between anthropometric categories and haematological parameters. Results: Result analysis showed no statistically significant association between RBC count and BMI (p = 0.89). Moreover, no statistically significant association was observed between PCV (hematocrit) and weight (p = 0.83), BMI (p = 0.818), or waist circumference (p = 0.419). Similarly, RBC count, MCH, and MCHC showed no significant correlation with any anthropometric variables. However, a significant association was noted between MCV and waist circumference (χ² = 15.08, p = 0.004), suggesting a potential impact of central adiposity on red cell morphology. Conclusion: The significant correlation between MCV and waist circumference indicates that central obesity may influence erythrocyte morphology. These findings highlight the need for further research incorporating biochemical and inflammatory markers to better understand the implications of body composition on donor haematology.