Correlation of Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase, Indirect Bilirubin, and Haptoglobin with Hematological Parameters in Hemolytic Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Rajasthan

Background: Hemolytic anemia is characterized by increased destruction of red blood cells leading to release of intracellular enzymes and hemoglobin metabolites into circulation. Simple biochemical markers such as serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), indirect bilirubin, and haptoglobin are routinely available in most medical college laboratories and can assist in assessing the degree of hemolysis, particularly in resource-limited settings. Objectives: (1) To assess serum LDH, indirect bilirubin, and haptoglobin levels in patients with hemolytic anemia. (2) To correlate biochemical markers of hemolysis with hematological parameters, namely hemoglobin level and reticulocyte count. (3) To evaluate the diagnostic utility of routine biochemical investigations in assessing severity of hemolysis. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Medical College, Jhalawar, Rajasthan, over a period of one and a half years. A total of 51 patients diagnosed with hemolytic anemia were included. Hematological investigations included complete blood count, reticulocyte count, and peripheral blood smear examination. Biochemical parameters included serum LDH, total and indirect bilirubin, and serum haptoglobin. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and correlations were assessed using appropriate tests. Results: Serum LDH and indirect bilirubin levels were significantly elevated, while serum haptoglobin levels were reduced in the majority of patients. A significant negative correlation was observed between hemoglobin levels and serum LDH and indirect bilirubin, whereas reticulocyte count showed a significant positive correlation with these biochemical markers. Serum haptoglobin demonstrated a positive correlation with hemoglobin concentration and a negative correlation with LDH. Conclusion: Routine biochemical markers such as serum LDH, indirect bilirubin, and haptoglobin correlate significantly with hematological indices of hemolysis and can serve as reliable, cost-effective indicators for assessing hemolytic anemia in resource-limited tertiary care settings.