Abstract
Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP), which are normally EDTA dependent is an in vitro phenomenon of platelet clumping that results in false reporting of a low platelet count by automatic cell counters. For individual under normal physical conditions, the values between 150x 10(9)/L and 400x 10(9)/L are considered normal and platelet counts less than 150x 10(9)/L can be defined as low platelet count or thrombocytopenia. The main focus of the study is to assess the significant difference among the falsely elevated platelet count and true low platelet count from the patients whose platelet count is below 150x 10(9)/L and also to find out the possible relationship of factors like age, gender and hematological indices such as MCV, MCH, Hemoglobin and platelet count.
The samples are collected from patient's database called eSiHi (electronic system for integrated health information) of Kind Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) medical records in suspected pseudothrombocytopenia cases. The patients were classified in to 2 groups based on their platelet count and was referred to the laboratory for detecting the possible platelet clumps. The first group having the true low platelet count and the second group with false low platelet count. The SPSS statistical analysis package version 22 was performed for data analysis. The t-test was performed for independent samples to analyze the significant difference among the groups.
The sample of 265 patients with a true low platelet count were detected in 47.54% (n = 126) with a mean +/- SD platelet count 120.1 +/- 11.79 as well with a false low platelet count was detected in 52.45% (n = 139) with a mean +/- SD of platelet count is 61.5 +/- 28.7. The mean platelet showing significantly higher in true low groups while compared to false low groups (120.1 +/- 11.79) vs (61.5 +/- 28.7 ) (p<0.01). The other laboratory variables such as MCV, MCH and Hemoglobin showed no significant difference among the groups (p > 0.05).
In conclusion, pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP), which are normally EDTA dependent is an in vitro phenomenon of platelet clumping that results in false reporting of a low platelet count by automatic cell counters. EDTA's steadiness in blood cell counting is mostly beneficial for hematological tests, though platelet clumping occasionally happens in EDTA solution. The first step is to evaluate a patient with medical and family history as the examination of the blood smear is very crucial.