Validity of Mentzer Index in Predicting Iron Deficiency Anaemia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v74i1.8761Keywords:
Erythrocyte indices, Iron profile, Iron deficiency anaemia, Mentzer index, Ferritins, TransferrinAbstract
Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Mentzer index as a screening tool for iron deficiency anaemia, using an iron profile as the gold standard in patients presenting with hypochromic microcytic anaemia.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Dec 2021
to May 2022.
Methodology: Data was collected from 163 patients with hypochromic microcytic anaemia. Red cell indices were noted for
each patient and recorded on a defined proforma.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 8.23±3.57 years. 85(52.1%) patients were males and 78(47.9%) were females.
Moreover, out of 163 patients, the specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and diagnostic
accuracy of the Mentzer index for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia were 90.1%, 90.1%, 84.6%, 93.8%, and 90.8%,
respectively.
Conclusion: The cell-count-based indices, especially the Mentzer index, are reliable and available methods for diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia. They have an accurate discrimination ability.
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