Evaluation of diagnostic accuracy tests of erythrocyte indexes in the differential diagnosis of beta thalassemia minor and iron deficiency anemia: A preliminary report

Abstract

Purpose: The most common anemias are iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta-thalassemia minor (BTm). A correct differantiation of them is important in terms of preventing unnecessary iron treatment and also preventing thalassemia disease. Considering the financial limitations specifically in countries with high prevalence of thalassemia, mathematical indices, which are simpler solutions, have been used to achieve a differential diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Total of 71 cases eligible for inclusion criteria were included in the study and 11 indices were examined. 46 of the cases were in the BTm-group and 25 of the cases were in the IDA-group. The BTm-group were accepted as positive-patient-group and the IDA-group were accepted as control-group. Diagnostic criteria were evaluated with erythrocyte indices. Results: The highest Youden Index was seen in the Sirdah index (89.48%), followed by two identical performances of the Ehsani and the Mentzer indices (84.%), indicating that these three indices showed the best diagnostic performance. There were two indices with a low performance (DOR

Keywords

• erythrocyte indices
• differential
• diagnosis
• beta thalassemia minor
• iron deficiency anemia
• eritrosit indeksleri
• ayırıcı
• tanı
• beta talasemi minör
• demir eksikliği anemisi