Study of blood indices and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in differentiation of β-thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anaemia

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta thalassaemia trait (BTT) are two of the most common causes of microcytic anemia.It is essential to differentiate between the two, so as to avoid unnecessary iron therapy which is contraindicated in beta thalassaemia .We retrospectively evaluated the reliability of various indices for differential diagnosis of microcytosis and 𝛽-TT in the same patient groups .Methods: A total of 200 patients were evaluated. We calculated 6 discrimination indices in all patients with anemia or suspected beta thalassemia. None of the subjects had  combined  IDA and 𝛽-TT. The patient groups were evaluated according to  the Mentzer, Shine and Lal, England and Fraser,Srivastava, Green and King, Ricerca.Results: According to percentage correctly diagnosed criteria, Ricerca  and Mentzer  index are considered as the two best discrimination indices in differentiation between β thalassemia trait  and iron deficiency anaemia .Youden’s index showed the following ranking with respect to the indices’ ability to distinguish between 𝛽-TT and IDA, Ricerca index >  Mentzer index > Green and King index >  Srivastava index >  Shine and Lal index > England and Fraser index.Conclusions: Ricerca  and Mentzer  index are considered as the two best discrimination indices in differentiation between β thalassemia trait  and iron deficiency anaemia.Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta thalassaemia trait (𝛽-TT)