Investigation of RDW Values Of Patients With Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia In Terms of Alpha and Beta Thalassemia And Iron Deficiency


Aydın Ü. F., Tuli A.

Türk Biyokimya Derneği 33. Ulusal Ulusal Biyokimya Kongresi, Uluslararası Biyokimya Kongresi, İzmir, Turkey, 26 - 30 October 2022, pp.83

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: İzmir
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.83
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are very common types of microcytic anemia. Therefore, there is a need for fast, reliable, easy-to-apply as well differential diagnostic parameters. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an erythrocyte index that can be easily measured with complete blood count. Moreover, it is known to increase in microcytic anemia types such as IDA. In this study, the effect of RDW value on differential diagnosis was investigated in patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia who were admitted to Çukurova University Medical Biochemistry Department with the suspicion of hemoglobinopathy. MATERIALS and METHODS: Hemogram (Sysmex KX-21N), mutation analyzes (ARMS,RFLP,Multiplex PCR,Sanger sequencing) and ferritin measurements were performed in the samples. 408 patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia (MCV<80 fL, MCH <27 pg) were evaluated. Statistical analyzes were performed with the SPSS Statistics 20 program. RESULTS: Of the 408 patients evaluated, 56 were found to have IDA (ferritin <12 ng/mL), 171 were α-thalassemia carriers, and 181 were β-thalassemia carriers. According to the statistical analysis data, there were significant differences (p<0.05, 95%CI) between the RDW values   of patients with IDA patients, while the difference was found to be insignificant (p>0.05) between β-thalassemia carriers and IDA patients CONCLUSION: The data obtained show that α-thalassemia carrier and iron deficiency anemia can be differentiated by using the RDW value. However, RDW is not a useful variable in differentiating between individuals with suspected β-thalassemia carriers and IDA. Nevertheless, RDW is a value that can be used before expensive and time-consuming analyzes in hypochromic microcytic anemias. Keywords: microcytic hypochromic anemia, thalassemia, iron deficiency anemia, RDW