The Value of Erythrocyte Indices and Red Cell Volume Distribution Width in Differential Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of Chronic Disease

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of chronic disease are the most commonly confused anemias. We investigate the diagnostic value of erythrocyte indices, red cell volume distribution width, and serum ferritin levels to make differential diagnosis of anemia in controls and anemic patients.Iron deficiency anemia (44 patients), anemia of chronic disease (41), IDA with anemia of chronic disease (17) and control (50) groups were compared. We performed serum ferritin, CBC, and sedimentation rate in all patientsand bone marrow aspiration in patients with anemia of chronic disease.Although mean cell volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) are low in IDA and anemia of chronic disease, it is much striking in the former one (p<0.001, p<0.001). Only 7.3% of patients with anemia of chronic disease had a MCV<70 fL and MCH