Evaluation of Platelet and Red Blood Cell Parameters with Proposal of Modified Score as Discriminating Guide for Iron Deficiency Anemia and beta-Thalassemia Minor

Introduction: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) and beta-Thalassaemia Minor (BTM) are considered to be important cause of microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Studies have evaluated various red cell parameters which are easily available on electronic cell counters for discrimination of IDA and BTM in different ethnic populations. The analysis of previously established red cell discriminative indices with new cut-off have also been done by studies which may be relevant in their set of population for differentiation. Aim: The study was conducted to propose a modified score considering the established red blood cell indices with a new cut off and to formulate index taking into consideration Red Blood Cell (RBC) and platelet parameters for early differentiation of IDA and BTM. Materials and Methods: The prospective study included cases with MCV< 80 fl and new modified score of 11 was proposed by statistically analysing the previous discriminative indices with new cut-off by giving score 0 for IDA and score 1 for BTM. The summation of all scores gave modified 11 T score. A new cut off for differentiation of IDA and BTM was proposed in the study by using ROC curve and analysing AUC which statistically corresponded to highest accuracy. An attempt to formulate a new index using the RBC and platelet parameters was also made for initial discrimination. Results: The study included 153 cases and in addition to red blood cell parameters, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width also showed statistical significant difference between IDA and BTM (p<0.05). Modified new 11 T score was 87.6% specific for BTM while proposed index showed 80.4% negative predictive value for BTM and correctly identified 75% of cases. Conclusion: The proposed new index and modified 11T score may be used for initial discrimination of BTM and IDA especially in resource limited regions. Apart from RBC parameters, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width may also be useful in early differentiation. It is essential to determine cut off of every index in given population for differentiation of these two conditions.