RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method for rapid differential diagnosis of thalassemia trait (TT) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) using stepwise regression analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Stepwise regression equation was established for differential diagnosis of TT and IDA according to the red cell index, and the accuracy of the differential diagnosis was evaluated using blind analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The accuracy of this equation for differential diagnosis of TT and IDA was 86.82%. The sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index in prediction of TT and IDA were 94.29%, 79.66%, 73.9 and 76.92%, 90.52%, and 67.4%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The stepwise regression equation using the red cell index is concise, rapid, and sensitive in differential diagnosis of TT and IDA, and can be well applicable in clinical practice.</p>