Red blood cell parameters (RET-Y and RBC-Y): their use in the diagnosis of functional iron deficiency

Abstract

<h3>Aims</h3> The purpose of the study was to determine whether the red blood cell parameters (RET-Y and RBC-Y) are useful in the identification of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in anaemia of inflammation (AI) patients, as the conventional biochemical markers are influenced by the acute phase reaction. <h3>Methods</h3> We evaluated these parameters prospectively in 115 patients who were investigated for anaemia. Diagnosis of IDA or AI was made based on the history, peripheral smear, biochemical markers of anaemia and C-reactive protein. Based on the serum soluble transferrin receptor levels, AI patients were subdivided into two groups: AI and AI with IDA. <h3>Results</h3> In controls (<i>n</i>=60) the mean RET-Y was 171.6±.6 (1 SD). In uncomplicated IDA (<i>n</i>=42) mean RET-Y was 119.8±24.8, significantly lower than the control (<i>p</i><0.001). The mean levels of RET-Y in AI patients and AI with IDA were 147.4±16.1 and 149.3±20.7, respectively. These levels were lower than the control (<i>p</i><0.05) but no significant difference was observed between the two groups of AI (<i>p</i>>0.05). Similar observations were noted for RBC-Y values in the study groups. <h3>Conclusion</h3> RET-Y and RBC-Y are useful in the diagnosis of uncomplicated IDA but have limited utilityin the diagnosis of IDA with AI.