Diagnostic Utility of Red Blood Cell Indices-Derived Formulas in Discriminating Beta-Thalassemia Trait from Iron Deficiency Anemia

ConclusionZaghloul 2 formula showed the highest efficacy in the differentiation of β-TT from IDA (85%) followed by MCI (74%) and MDHL (72%) then England and Fraser (68%) and lastly MCHD (66%). They can be used for screening in big population, being simple and inexpensive, and then followed by the usual confirmatory tests. Their real use comes in rural areas and primary care facil ities where only red blood cell indices are handy. They can be calculated and the cases can be referred to secondary health care to take the confirmatory tests for diagnosis.
Source: QJM - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research