Comparative evaluation of hemoglobin measurement by automated cell blood counter and by hemoglobin strip in female blood donors

Background and objectivesTesting for hemoglobin is important in detection and prevention of anemia before and after blood donation respectively. Thus, hemoglobin screening test should have high sensitivity and accuracy for selection of blood donors.The present study aimed at comparative evaluation in measurement of hemoglobin by hemoglobin color scale (HCS) and reference method. Materials and MethodsIn this descriptive study, 144 female donors (the mean age of 33 ± 11) tested by Hb strips were found to be eligible for donation. In addition to the samples taken for Hb test, the second series of blood samples were also drawn from donors and were added to EDTA-coated tubes for measurement of hemoglobin by automated cell blood counter (Sysmex K-800) as a complementary measurement. The results obtained by the two methods were entered in SPSS statistical program (version 11.5) and analyzed statistically using Wilcoxon and Spearman correlation index. ResultsStatistically remarkable differences were observed between the mean of Hb results by cell blood counter (12.8 gr/dl) and the mean obtained by Hb strip color scale (13.2 gr/dl) in female blood donors. So the median rates of Hb tested by Hb color scale and cell blood counter were 14 gr/dl and 12.8gr/dl, respectively. Pearson correlation index showed no significant correlation between the two methods of measurement. ConclusionsResults showed that there was a remarkable difference in hemoglobin levels as measured by the two methods. Therefore, the use of Hb color scale for blood donor screening may fail to detect anemic donors or those with potentiality for post-donation anemia. It is then recommended that donors with Hb>13 gr/dl in Hb color scale be retested by more precise and sensitive methods including Hemo Cue or cell blood counter.