Assessment of informative value of calculated red blood cell indices in the primary diagnosis of thalassemia

Acceleration of the differential diagnosis of microcytic hypochromic anemia is still an urgent problem. With the development of laboratory technology, new possibilities appear for differentiating iron deficiency and hemoglobinopathies as the main causes of hypochromic microcytic anemia. This study was conducted to assess the information content of the calculated indices of red blood cells M, Si, M-H and M-H-RDW in the primary diagnosis of thalassemia. This study is supported by the Independent Ethics Committee and approved by the Academic Council of the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology. 110 patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia were examined. The material for research was whole venous blood with the anticoagulant K3 EDTA. Blood samples were studied by flow cytometry using an Sysmex XT 4000i (Sysmex Corporation, Япония) automated hematology analyzer in CBC + DIFF + RET mode. It was found that with a probability of 96.3%, it is possible to assume the presence of thalassemia in the primary diagnosis of microcytic hypochromic anemia using the parameters of an automatic hematological analyzer and calculated indices M, Si, M-H and M-H-RDW. Assessment of the information content of the calculated indices M, Si and M-H, M-H-RDW in the primary diagnosis of thalassemia showed their high predictive value in case of simultaneous changes in all 4 indices. For the correct assessment and exclusion of false negative results, a strict observance of the preanalytical stage and the availability of information on transfusions of erythrocyte-containing media carried out by the patient are necessary.