Low hemoglobin density potential marker of iron availability

• Published in: International journal of laboratory hematology 2012-02, Vol.34 (1), p.47-51
• Main Authors: URRECHAGA, E., UNCETA, M., BORQUE, L., ESCANERO, J. F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia - diagnosis; Anemia - etiology; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - diagnosis; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - etiology; Chronic Disease; Erythrocyte Indices; erythrocytes; Female; Functional iron deficiency; Humans; hypochromic red blood cells; Inflammation - complications; Iron - metabolism; Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications; low hemoglobin density; Male
• ISSN: 1751-5521; 1751-553X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553X.2011.01355.x

Summary Introduction:  Low hemoglobin density (LHD%) is a new parameter provided by Beckman‐Coulter derived from the mean cell hemoglobin concentration, using the mathematical sigmoid transformation This study investigated the reliability of LHD% for the assessment of iron status in the presence of inflammation. Methods:  Healthy subjects (n = 90) and patients with iron deficiency (IDA, n = 110), chronic kidney disease (CKD, n = 65) and anemia of chronic disease (ACD, n = 85; 24 were iron deficient and 61 were iron sufficient) were analyzed on a LH 780 analyzer (Beckman Coulter Inc., Miami, FL, USA). Independent samples U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were applied. To determine the concordance between LHD% and soluble transferrin receptor (sTrR) Cohen’s κ index was calculated. Results:  LHD % values showed no statistical difference in patients with IDA and patients with ACD accompanied with IDA (P = 0.6427); LHD% values in these patients were significantly different (P