Seasonal differences in blood cell parameters and the association with cigarette smoking.

Seasonal changes in red cell parameters need to be defined in order to properly interpret laboratory results. In this study blood counts were obtained prospectively in 104 healthy men (84 non-smokers and 20 smokers) aged 28-63 years during the summer and winter months. Seasonal changes in plasma volume were also calculated. In healthy non-smokers, their haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit ratio were lower in summer than in winter with a concomitant 5.5% increase in plasma volume. In smokers, there was no change in plasma volume, but haematocrit levels increased in summer. We conclude that both smoking status and seasonal variation should be taken into account in the evaluation of blood count results. Further studies are warranted to determine if our results can be extrapolated to subjects of both sexes and of various ages exposed to different climatic conditions.