RDW as differential parameter between microcytic anemias in "pure" and concomitant forms

The objective of this study was to investigate the discriminatory power of red cell distribution width (RDW) between iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia minor. Method: Blood parameters were compared in 227 patients with iron deficiency anemia and/or thalassemia minor after diagnosis confirmed by molecular biology and HbA2 measurement for alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia trait respectively. The frequency of alpha thalassemia trait in a population from two public hospitals of Minas Gerais was also determined. Result and conclusion: RDW was able to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from thalassemia trait, what indicates that this blood count parameter is a useful tool since concomitant disorders are excluded. In addition, a high frequency of the -α3.7 mutation was observed in the study population (20.3%), justifying its investigation when another cause for microcytic anemia is absent. Introdução: A anemia ferropriva e as talassemias menores são anemias microcíticas e hipocrômicas comumente encontradas em nosso meio. A correta diferenciação entre essas anemias é de grande importância clínica, embora muitas vezes seja dificultada pela concomitância de doenças que podem alterar os resultados dos exames padrão, além dos custos significativos de tais testes. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o poder discriminatório do índice de anisocitose eritrocitária (RDW) entre anemia ferropriva e talassemias menores. Método: Foram comparados os parÃ...
Source: Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial - Category: Pathology Source Type: research