A NEW VALID FORMULA IN DIFFERENTIATING IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA FROM ß–THALASSEMIA TRAIT

Objective: To compare the validity of a new index (Hb×RDW×100/ (RBC)2×MCHC) with twelve discriminating functions (DFs) to differentiate iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta-thalassemia trait(ß –TT). Methodology: A total of 823 patients (317 IDA and 506 ß –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 King Index (G KI),red cell distribution width index (RDWI), England Fraser Index (E FI), Bessman and Feinstein index (B FI), Telmissani et al index (TI), Srivastava and Bevington index (S BI), Shine and Lal index (S 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. Results: All thirteen DFs didn’t have the sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The KI, RDWI, G KI and E FI showed the most sensitivity and specificity for both IDA and TT; moreover, the lowest reliable indices belonged to B FI, S LI and RI. Conclusion: According to Youden’s index (YI), DFs in the order of highest to lowest were KI G KI RDWI E FI RBC M I EI TI SI S BI RI S LI B FI.