BETA THALASSEMIA TRAIT

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the sensitivity of the various discrimination indicesas screening test in beta-thalassemia trait patients in our population. Study design: Crosssectional descriptive study. Period: 1-Sep 2012 to 31-Jan 2013 (5 months). Settings: PathologyDepartment, District Head Quarters (DHQ) Hospital, Rawalpindi. Materials and Methods: Atotal of 150 diagnosed cases of beta thalassemia trait were included in the study. Study wasdone from 1-Sep 2012 to 31-Jan 2013 in DHQ hospital, Rawalpindi. Four discrimination indicesi.e. Mentzer, Shine & Lal, Srivastava, and Red cell Distribution Width Index were calculated forall the patients. The number of correctly identified cases were determined and sensitivity ofeach discrimination index was calculated accordingly. Results: The sensitivity in diagnosingbeta thalassemia trait patients was highest for Shine and Lal index (95%), followed by Mentzerindex (52% sensitivity), and then Srivasava index (46% sensitivity). Red cell distribution widthindex had poor sensitivity of 2% in our study. None of the discrimination indices showed 100%sensitivity. Conclusion: We concluded that Shine & Lal and Mentzer index are the most sensitiveindices. They can be used for cheap and quick screening of beta-thalassemia trait patients inlaboratories where advanced investigation tools are not available. Patients who give positiveresult for beta thalassemia trait with these indices may then be referred for further workup toconfirm the diagnosis.