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Analysis of clinical and demographic characteristics for the differential diagnosis of pseudothrombocytopenia
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Original Article
VOLUME: 53 ISSUE: 2
P: 342-348
2020

Analysis of clinical and demographic characteristics for the differential diagnosis of pseudothrombocytopenia

Acta Haematol Oncol Turc 2020;53(2):342-348
DOI: 10.5505/aot.2020.92499
Abdulkerim Yıldız 1
Murat Albayrak 1
Osman Şahin 1
Hacer Berna Afacan Öztürk 1
Senem Maral 1
1. University Of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training And Research Hospital, Department Of Hematology, Ankara, Turkey
2.
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 2019-11-07T20:31:29
Accepted Date: 2020-09-04T11:30:10
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is an in-vitro phenomenon of platelet clumping that leads to artificial low platelet counts by automatic hematology analyzers. Knowledge of PTCP is important for the accuracy of a clinical assessment and to avoid unnecessary treatment. The aim of this study was to determine easily available predictive markers which can be used for suspicion of PTCP in case of thrombocytopenia.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation was made of patients admitted or referred to our hematology department during the 3-year period from January 2016 to January 2019. Comparisons were made of the PTCP patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and healthy subjects to determine a distinctive parameter for the differentiation of PTCP. Differences were investigated in demographic characteristics, hemogram and biochemical parameters, underlying and comorbid diseases and platelet indices.

RESULTS

Evaluation was made of 164 patients with EDTA-PTCP, 43 patients with ITP and 45 healthy control subjects. In PTCP patients, the number of comorbidities, platelet count, mean platelet volume, plateletcrit and platelet distribution width were significantly different from both the ITP and control groups (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant parameter that could be used to differentiate PTCP either from ITP or the control group (p>0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Hematological parameters may be considered for the use to differentiate PTCP from thrombocytopenic and healthy conditions. However, microscopic peripheral blood smear analysis is still the most reliable and distinctive method.