Background: This study established sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematological parameters, including the monocyte distribution width (MDW), in Korean adults and assessed the need for separate RIs according to sex in older adults. Methods: Hematological parameters were measured using a DxH 900 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA) on 328 peripheral blood samples from 124 men and 204 women aged 19–93 years. Results: The RIs for white blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), Hb, Hct, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocyte percentage, and neutrophil, eosinophil, lympho­cyte, and monocyte counts differed significantly by sex (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume was significantly positively associated with age, whereas RBC and platelet counts were significantly negatively correlated with age in both men and women. Age-based analysis revealed significant shifts in the RBC parameters beginning at 60 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women. The MDW did not show significant differences according to sex or age. Conclusions This study supports the use of sex-specific RIs and highlights the importance of considering age when interpreting results regarding hematological parameters in clinical practice.

Background: This study established sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematological parameters, including the monocyte distribution width (MDW), in Korean adults and assessed the need for separate RIs according to sex in older adults. Methods: Hematological parameters were measured using a DxH 900 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA) on 328 peripheral blood samples from 124 men and 204 women aged 19–93 years. Results: The RIs for white blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), Hb, Hct, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocyte percentage, and neutrophil, eosinophil, lympho­cyte, and monocyte counts differed significantly by sex (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume was significantly positively associated with age, whereas RBC and platelet counts were significantly negatively correlated with age in both men and women. Age-based analysis revealed significant shifts in the RBC parameters beginning at 60 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women. The MDW did not show significant differences according to sex or age. Conclusions This study supports the use of sex-specific RIs and highlights the importance of considering age when interpreting results regarding hematological parameters in clinical practice.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings. Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes. Results: A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%). Conclusion This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings. Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes. Results: A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%). Conclusion This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.

Background: This study established sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematological parameters, including the monocyte distribution width (MDW), in Korean adults and assessed the need for separate RIs according to sex in older adults. Methods: Hematological parameters were measured using a DxH 900 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA) on 328 peripheral blood samples from 124 men and 204 women aged 19–93 years. Results: The RIs for white blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), Hb, Hct, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocyte percentage, and neutrophil, eosinophil, lympho­cyte, and monocyte counts differed significantly by sex (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume was significantly positively associated with age, whereas RBC and platelet counts were significantly negatively correlated with age in both men and women. Age-based analysis revealed significant shifts in the RBC parameters beginning at 60 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women. The MDW did not show significant differences according to sex or age. Conclusions This study supports the use of sex-specific RIs and highlights the importance of considering age when interpreting results regarding hematological parameters in clinical practice.

Background: This study established sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematological parameters, including the monocyte distribution width (MDW), in Korean adults and assessed the need for separate RIs according to sex in older adults. Methods: Hematological parameters were measured using a DxH 900 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA) on 328 peripheral blood samples from 124 men and 204 women aged 19–93 years. Results: The RIs for white blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), Hb, Hct, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocyte percentage, and neutrophil, eosinophil, lympho­cyte, and monocyte counts differed significantly by sex (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume was significantly positively associated with age, whereas RBC and platelet counts were significantly negatively correlated with age in both men and women. Age-based analysis revealed significant shifts in the RBC parameters beginning at 60 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women. The MDW did not show significant differences according to sex or age. Conclusions This study supports the use of sex-specific RIs and highlights the importance of considering age when interpreting results regarding hematological parameters in clinical practice.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings. Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes. Results: A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%). Conclusion This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings. Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes. Results: A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%). Conclusion This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.

Background: This study established sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematological parameters, including the monocyte distribution width (MDW), in Korean adults and assessed the need for separate RIs according to sex in older adults. Methods: Hematological parameters were measured using a DxH 900 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA) on 328 peripheral blood samples from 124 men and 204 women aged 19–93 years. Results: The RIs for white blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), Hb, Hct, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocyte percentage, and neutrophil, eosinophil, lympho­cyte, and monocyte counts differed significantly by sex (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular volume was significantly positively associated with age, whereas RBC and platelet counts were significantly negatively correlated with age in both men and women. Age-based analysis revealed significant shifts in the RBC parameters beginning at 60 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women. The MDW did not show significant differences according to sex or age. Conclusions This study supports the use of sex-specific RIs and highlights the importance of considering age when interpreting results regarding hematological parameters in clinical practice.

Background: TP53 mutations are associated with poor prognosis in myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) and AML. The updated 5th WHO classification and International Consensus Classification (ICC) categorize TP53-mutated MDS and AML as unique entities. We conducted a multicenter study in Korea to investigate the characteristics of TP53-mutated MDS and AML, focusing on diagnostic aspects based on updated classifications. Methods: This study included patients aged ≥ 18 yrs who were diagnosed as having MDS(N = 1,244) or AML (N = 2,115) at six institutions. The results of bone marrow examination, cytogenetic studies, and targeted next-generation sequencing, including TP53, were collected and analyzed. Results: TP53 mutations were detected in 9.3% and 9.2% of patients with MDS and AML, respectively. Missense mutation was the most common, with hotspot codons R248/ R273/G245/Y220/R175/C238 accounting for 25.4% of TP53 mutations. Ten percent of patients had multiple TP53 mutations, and 78.4% had a complex karyotype. The median variant allele frequency (VAF) of TP53 mutations was 41.5%, with a notable difference according to the presence of a complex karyotype. According to the 5th WHO classification and ICC, the multi-hit TP53 mutation criteria were met in 58.6% and 75% of MDS patients, respectively, and the primary determinants were a TP53 VAF > 50% for the 5th WHO classification and the presence of a complex karyotype for the ICC. Conclusions Collectively, we elucidated the molecular genetic characteristics of patients with TP53-mutated MDS and AML, highlighting key factors in applying TP53 mutation-related criteria in updated classifications, which will aid in establishing diagnostic strategies.