Hemoglobin Levels and the Associated Factors in the Patients Visiting A University Hospital in Chennai, India

Abstract

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule present in the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the
body’s tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the body tissues to the lungs. The normal Hemoglobin level
for males is 13.5 - 17.5 -grams per deciliter and for females is 12.0 - 15.5 - grams per deciliter. However,
Adult men and women have different haemoglobin levels, which are independent of iron status. Estimation
of Hemoglobin levels is essential due to several reasons and this research is unique in the aspect of its
importance in dentistry. This study aims at the assessment of Hemoglobin levels of patients, based on
their gender visiting Saveetha dental college outpatient department. This is a comparative and descriptive
study for which the data was obtained from reviewing the patient records. The data collection was from
the Undergraduate,postgraduate clinics, Saveetha dental college, SIMATS. The data was collected and
compiled followed by its statistical analysis by using the SPSS software by IBM. Out of the total sample
size (1825 cases), various hemoglobin result values obtained were, 5-8 g/dl - 5.2%; 8-12 g/dl - 38.0%;
12-16 g/dl -52.3%; and 16-20 g/dl - 4.5%. Where 12-16 g/dl was considered as normal level Hemoglobin
levels among males showed 65.0% under normal range; 27.12% anaemic ; 7.88% above normal level and
Hemoglobin levels among females showed 35.54 % under normal range ; 64.33 % anaemic ; 0.13% above
normal level. Chi square test between gender and Hemoglobin result values resulted in a P value < 0.05
statistically significant. Hemoglobin levels among the age group 1-31 years were 38.4%; 32-55 years were
45.2%; and above 55 years were 16.4%; Chi square tests between various age groups and Hemoglobin
result values resulted in a P value < 0.05 statistically significant. Our study assessed the association of
Hemoglobin levels of patients with various parameters such as age, gender and result values. The overall
results show a Male predilection in hemoglobin levels and females having lesser hemoglobin levels than
their normal range. The study also reveals that Anemia is strongly associated with females when compared
to males and both males and females attain the peak in hemoglobin levels during their young and Middle
Age and gradually come down during old age.