The prevalence of neutropenia among Sudanese in different age groups and genders

Abstract

Introduction: Neutropenia is a benign white blood cells (WBCs) disorder ranges from a normal variant to life-threatening acquired and congenital disorders.

Objectives: The aim of the study is  to estimate the prevalence of neutropenia among Sudanese healthy subjects.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in Khartoum State-Sudan among 300 Sudanese of different genders and age groups. The study  was approved by ethical committee from at FMLS-Khartoum University. Venous blood sample was collected, TWBCs and differential counts were performed using Sysmex KX-21 blood analyser.

Results: Neutropenia prevalence was 20% among the enrolled subjects. Moderate neutropenia was detected in 6.7%, while a mild neutropenia was detected in 13.3%. The prevalence in males was 26.6% and in females, it was 13.3%. Furthermore, males had significantly lower mean of ANC (2.2× 109/L) compared to females (2.4× 109/L), P < 0.01.  Among the age groups over 40 years, the prevalence was 25.3%, in the age group below 40 was 14.6%. In addition, age groups of  >40 year had significantly lower mean of ANC (2.2× 109/L) compared to age groups of  < 40 year (2.3× 109/L), P < 0.03.  Neutropenia group had statistically significant lower TWBCs (P < .05) and  neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio (P < .00001)  compared to normal group with ANC (> 1.5 × 109/L). A significant positive correlation between the neutropenia and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio was found (r = 0.74, P < .05).

Conclusions: Mild to moderate neutropenia is common among Sudanese residing in Khartoum. This frequency may be attributed to benign ethnic neutropenia