Dynamics of COVID-19 Lockdown on Blood Indices and Its Impact on Individuals’ Immunological Health Status: A Cohort Study in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Suliman, Bandar A

OBJECTIVE: The complete blood count (CBC) is an essential blood test that has been used for decades to assess individuals’ overall health status. This study aimed to investigate the contributions of lockdown conditions to individuals’ overall health status using blood indices as biological markers. During lockdown, people are limited to confined spaces, have access to limited nutritional supply options, experience increased stress, and are exposed to other environmental factors. METHODS: Our study’s target population included all outpatients who were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-negative and requested CBC assessments as part of their routine health checks. A total of 2414 CBC results were included, covering a period from February 2019 to December 2020. The average of different blood indices during the COVID-19 lockdown was compared to the 10-month period preceding the lockdown. RESULTS: The average counts of RBCs, hemoglobin, and hematocrit showed a significant increase during the lockdown period, which lasted from May 2020 to September 2020. Reductions were observed for the RBC distribution width, total white blood cell count, platelets, and platelet distribution width. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the overall health status of individuals improved during the lockdown period in the short term, but health status might be adversely affected under these conditions of a longer period. Both RDW and PDW could be used as indicators for the overall health status when assessed against other blood indices.