NESTROFF as a screening test for detection of Beta-thalassemia trait.

ABSTRACT

Naked Eye Single Tube Redcell Osmotic Fragility Test (NESTROFT) was applied to 110 patients of suspected cases of beta-Thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies. Out of 110 patients, 10 cases were of beta-Thalassemia major, 35 of Thalassemia minor and 65 of sickle cell disease. The study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of NESTROFT as a screening test for beta-Thalassemia trait. The test was successful in detecting 34/35 subjects with beta-Thalassemia trait. Sensitivity of the test was 97.1% and specificity was 100%. The test was positive in detecting other haemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease also. The test proved to be simple, cheap easy to perform and adaptable for mass screening coming close to an ideal screening test for beta-Thalassemia trait.