From the Research
Hematologic Changes in Pneumonia
- Elevated hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in patients with pneumonia can be caused by various factors, including:
- Dehydration, which can lead to a relative increase in Hgb and Hct levels 1, 2
- Inflammation, which can cause changes in blood cell production and destruction, leading to alterations in Hgb, Hct, and MCV levels 3, 4
- Coagulation and fibrinolysis disorders, which can affect blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels 4
- Studies have shown that patients with pneumonia often have abnormal blood cell counts, including anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis 3, 4
- The severity of pneumonia has been correlated with changes in hemoglobin levels, with more severe pneumonia associated with lower hemoglobin levels 4, 5
- A U-shaped relationship has been observed between hemoglobin concentrations and mortality risk in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, with both low and high hemoglobin levels associated with increased mortality risk 5
Mechanisms Underlying Hematologic Changes
- Depressed myocardial function and relative hypovolemia may contribute to the hypodynamic state associated with acute pneumonia, leading to changes in blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels 1, 2
- Inflammation and coagulation disorders can also play a role in the development of hematologic changes in patients with pneumonia 3, 4
- The exact mechanisms underlying the U-shaped relationship between hemoglobin levels and mortality risk in patients with pneumonia are not fully understood and require further study 5