Discrimination Indices for Diagnosis of Beta(β) Thalassemia Trait

Background: To determine the reliability ofhematological indices and derived formulas indiagnosing beta thalassemia trait.Methods: In this observational cohort study,patients diagnosed as beta thalassaemia minor wereincluded. All hematological indices wererecorded.Haemoglobin electrophoresis wasperformed using capillarys 2 flex piercing system.An HbA2 value > 3.5% was considered as a cut-offpoint for beta-thalassemia trait. Fourteenhaematological indices were then applied accordingto the formulae and cut off values. Percentage ofpositive cases accurately identified along with themean, median and mode were calculated for eachdiscrimination index.Results: The study cohort constituted of total 493patients, out of which 246 (49.9%) were male and 247(50.1%) were females. The mean age of all thepatients was 20.34 +12.835, with range of 6-50 years.The mean haemoglobin level of all patients was10.82+1.64 and ranged between 4.60 and 16.30. A redblood cell count more than 4.9 X 10 12/l and a MCHless that 25 pg were the most consistent findings.Srivastava index was more near to predicting betathalassaemia minor .Conclusion: Red cell indices and discriminationfactors have a potential utility in screening for βthalassaemia trait , keeping in view their sensitivityand specificit