Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey

Authors : Nuray Üremiş, Ergul Belge Kurutas, Medine Çitil
Pages : 440-448
Doi:10.18663/tjcl.1697505
View : 86 | Download : 552
Publication Date : 2026-01-01
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Aim: Accurate clinical differentiation between Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and beta-thalassemia (β-TM) is critical for disease management and the determination of effective treatment strategies. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to comparatively evaluate the laboratory methods and hematologic indices used for the diagnostic differentiation between IDA and thalassemia. The study examined the differences between routine biochemistry analyses of IDA and thalassemia and the effectiveness of eight different indices used to diagnose these diseases. Material and Methods: Routine hematological parameters of patients diagnosed with IDA and β-TM Minor were analyzed retrospectively. Menzier Index (MI), Green and King Index (G&K), England and Fraser Index (E&F), Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Index (RDWI), Ricarca Index (RI), Srivastava Index (S), Sirdah Index (SI), and Ehsani Index were calculated and their diagnostic efficiency was evaluated. Results: When eight discrimination indices were evaluated, G&K and E&F indices were the most effective in differentiating IDA and β-TM. These indices showed high sensitivity and specificity rates with Youden index values of 81.41% and 80.24%, respectively. As a result of the comparative evaluation of other discriminatory indices, the diagnostic performance order for distinguishing between IDA and β-TM was determined to be G&K > E&F > SI > RDWI > RI > MI > E > S > RBC. Conclusion: Using various hematologic indices increases the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating IDA and β-TM. In particular, G&K and E&F indices may facilitate accurate diagnosis and enable more effective clinical management processes.
Keywords : Demir eksikliği anemisi, beta-talasemi, hematolojik indeks, kırmızı kan hücresi indeksleri, eritrosit parametreleri

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