EVALUATION OF THE UTILITY OF HEMATOLOGICAL INDICES FOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF BETA THALASSEMIA TRAIT AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA: A META ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background/Objectives: β-thalassemia trait (βTT) and iron deciency anemia (IDA) are most regularly reported microcytic anemia disorders. We aimed at evaluating the utility of various hematological indices in the differentiation of iron deciency anemia and beta-thalassemia trait. Methods: In this study, a total of 70 Patients aged between 3-52 years diagnosed with IDA (supported by iron studies) or βTT (supported by HPLC) were included. The Hemoglobin values ranged 7.5-11.6gm/dl. Hematological parameters like Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cell Distribution Width, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration and Red Blood Cell count which were measured by Horiba pentra XLR automated hematology analyzer for each case. 12 discrimination indices(DIs) namely Red blood distribution width index(RDWI),Red blood cell count, Mentzer index, Shine and Lal, England and Fraser(E&FI), Srivastava, Green and King(G&KI), Ricerca, Sirdah, and Ehsani indices; Mean density of hemoglobin/ litre of blood; Mean cell density of hemoglobin in all patients were calculated using above hematological parameters. We also calculated sensitivity, specicity, positive & negative predictive value and yoden's index of each DIs to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DIs. RBC count, Mentzer Results: index and RDWI were the most sensitive and specic for both IDA and TT. All twelve DIs have variable sensitivity and specici Conclusion: ty. However, these hematological indices which are routinely performed offer rapid, reliable and cost effective method in distinguishing βTT and IDA.