Personalized Reference Intervals Versus Indirectly Estimated Population-Based Reference Intervals for Hematology Measurands

Abstract

Background Interpretation of laboratory data is a comparative process that requires reliable reference intervals (RIs) to support clinical decision-making. Although population-based reference intervals (popRIs) are commonly used for this purpose, more accurate interpretation can be achieved using RIs derived from an individual's own data-that is, personalized reference intervals (prRIs). In this study, we estimated prRIs for common hematology parameters and compared them with popRIs indirectly derived from laboratory data.Method popRIs were estimated for a total of 17 complete blood count (CBC) subparameters using patient laboratory data. prRIs for the same parameters were calculated using longitudinal data from 200 healthy individuals, based on a prediction interval model. Additionally, the reference interval index (RII) was calculated as the ratio of the range of prRIs to the range of popRIs for each measurand.Results prRIs calculated for CBC parameter differed from the corresponding popRIs. The median of RII varied from 0.41 for eosinophils to 2.97 for platelet distribution width (PDW).Conclusion We concluded that the prRIs of the CBC parameters differ from their corresponding popRIs, and that prRIs should be used for a more accurate interpretation of patients' CBC results.