Reliability of Different RBC Indices and Formulas in Discriminating between β-Thalassemia Minor and other Microcytic Hypochromic Cases.
OBJECTIVE
Different indices and formulas of CBC parameters have been suggested as indicators of early stage screenings to detect couples with β-thalassemia minor (BTMi). In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of five previous published formulas and compared them to our new formula (│80-MCV│×│27-MCH│) in screening of β-thalassemia.


METHODS
All couples in the premarital β-thalassemia screening program of Roodbar, Iran, for whom molecular analysis had been done, were selected during two years. The red blood cell parameters were applied to each formula, and a ROC curve was plotted for each one to check its discriminative effectiveness in β-thalassemia detection.


RESULTS
None of the studied indices and formulas demonstrated 100% precision. However, we found that the Shine-Lal formula and our formula had the highest sensitivity in identifying BTMi individuals. The highest specificity belonged to our formula and Sirdah formula.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous studies reported different sensitivities and specificities for the formulas. This can be attributed to different kinds of HBB gene mutations in various populations. Undoubtedly, physicians in different areas should evaluate the accuracy of published formulas for their own populations in the discrimination of BTMi from other causes of microcytic hypochromic anemia.
MD, General practitioner, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Elahe
E
Bordbar
MD, General practitioner, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Mehdi
M
Taghipour
PhD, Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Beth E
BE
Zucconi