M Afroz1, T S Shamsi, S Syed. 1. Department of Pathology, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi.
Abstract
AIM AND BACKGROUND: Two forms of hypochromic microcytic anaemia i.e. iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait are common in our society. This study reports the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait and predictive value of MCV/RBC count ratio to discriminate between two. METHODS: Venous blood was taken from 299 students of Karachi Medical & Dental College and Ziauddin Medical University in Na2 EDTA and analyzed by semi-automated Sysmex K-1000 haematology analyzer. MCV/RBC count ratio was used to discriminate between iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait and > 14% was marked as iron deficiency. Hb electrophoresis was used as gold standard test for confirmation. Serum iron and TIBC was performed to confirm iron deficiency anaemia. RESULTS: Iron deficiency was found in 9% while beta-thalassaemia was seen in 3% students. MCV/RBC count ratio showed a positive predictive value of 91%. CONCLUSIONS: In areas where iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait are common, MCV/RBC count ratio can be used to screen out beta-thalassaemia trait.
AIM AND BACKGROUND: Two forms of hypochromic microcytic anaemia i.e. iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait are common in our society. This study reports the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait and predictive value of MCV/RBC count ratio to discriminate between two. METHODS: Venous blood was taken from 299 students of Karachi Medical & Dental College and Ziauddin Medical University in Na2 EDTA and analyzed by semi-automated Sysmex K-1000 haematology analyzer. MCV/RBC count ratio was used to discriminate between iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait and > 14% was marked as iron deficiency. Hb electrophoresis was used as gold standard test for confirmation. Serum iron and TIBC was performed to confirm iron deficiency anaemia. RESULTS:Iron deficiency was found in 9% while beta-thalassaemia was seen in 3% students. MCV/RBC count ratio showed a positive predictive value of 91%. CONCLUSIONS: In areas where iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait are common, MCV/RBC count ratio can be used to screen out beta-thalassaemia trait.