Evaluation of Discrimination Indices Validity for Screening of β-Thalassemia Trait

Abstract β-thalassemia trait (β-TT) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the most common forms of microcytic anemia. Screening of β-thalassemia trait is important for medical counseling before marriage and preventing β-thalassemia major birth results. The most common problem in screening -TT is differentiating it from IDA. The aim of this study was to define the sensitivity specificity and predictive values of some discrimination indices for screening of β-TT in a sample of such patients. A total of 82 patients with microcytic anemia (MCV< 80 fl) were selected from Namazi Hospital Shiraz Iran and 9 discrimination indices were calculated for them. The patients were divided intotwo groups: 42 patients with β-TT and 40 patients with IDA. The sensitivity specificity positive and negative predictive values and Youdens index of each discrimination index were calculated for screening β-TT. None of the discrimination indices showed 100% of sensitivity and specificity. But the Shin and Lal index RDW index and RBC count showed the highest and valuable value for screening β-TT. Some discrimination indices like Shin and Lal index RDW index and RBC index are valuable indices in screening β-TT.