new valid formula in differentiating iron deficiency Anemia from beta thalassemia trait

ABSTRACT

To compare the validity of a new index [HbxRDWx100/ [RBC] 2xMCHC] with twelve discriminating functions [DFs] to differentiate iron deficiency anemia [IDA] and beta-thalassemia trait [beta-TT]. A total of 823 patients [317 IDA and 506 beta-TT] aged 15 to 35-year-old were enrolled in this study. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and other validity parameters were calculated to assess the diagnostic reliability of the novel index [Keikhaei index [KI]] vis-a-vis the other published DFs [Mentzer Index [MI], Green and King Index [G and KI], red cell distribution width index [RDWI], England and Fraser Index [E and FI], Bessman and Feinstein index [B and FI], Telmissani et al index [TI], Srivastava and Bevington index [S and BI], Shine and Lal index [S and LI], Ricerca et al index [RI], Ehsani et al index [EI], Sirdah et al index [SI], and Red Blood Cell Count [RBC] were calculated in all patients. All thirteen DFs didn't have the sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The KI, RDWI, G and KI and E and FI showed the most sensitivity and specificity for both IDA and TT; moreover, the lowest reliable indices belonged to B and FI, S and LI and RI. According to Youden's index [YI], DFs in the order of highest to lowest were KI>G and KI>RDWI>E and FI>RBC>M I>EI>TI>SI>S and BI>RI>S and LI>B and FI