Abstract
Beta thalassemia trait is a heterozygous autosomal recessive form of beta thalassemia. Individual with beta thalassemia trait are clinically asymptomatic. The present study was retrospective in nature and was done over a period of five years from 2014-2018. In patients who have been diagnosed as beta thalassemia trait by HPLC, the Hb, RBC, PCV, MCV,MCH, MCHC, RDW(CV/SD), HPLC were correlated with patient history. Three discrimination index (Sir England and Fraser, Mentzer, Shine and Lal index) were used in this study and modified study criteria were calculated. Total 401 cases of Beta thalassemia trait were diagnosed by HPLC. Among various discrimination indices used, Shine and Lal(396 cases positive) showed highest sensitivity 98.75% followed by Dr. Mentzer (330 cases positive)82.29% and Sir England and Fraser(259 cases positive) 64.58%.When we have applied the modified study criteria (MCV <66fl, MCH<25pg and RBC count ˃ 5million/mm3)301 BTT cases were picked up out of 401 cases (sensitivity of 77.30%).Shine and Lal showed the highest sensitivity (98.75%)and that could be useful for screening the BTT efficiently. Modified study criteria (MSC) was applied, it has fairly good sensitivity 77.3% which is easily applicable as it does not involve any calculation. Application of discrimination indices in routine haematological practice of evaluating CBC and PBS leads to diagnosis of BTT cases which will considerably reduce the disease burden of Thalassemia major in the community.
Keywords: Beta thalassemia minor, Red cell indices, Discrimination indices, High performance liquid chromatography, Peripheral blood smear.
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Corresponding Author
Prof. Shanthala Devi A.M. MBBS, MD
Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immuno Hematology Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560034
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v10i1.22
