Evaluation of Haematological Markers (Microcytic Anaemia Factor and Low Haemoglobin Density) To Distinguish Between Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Thalassemia Trait

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of two hematological markers—microcytic anemia factor (MAF) and low hemoglobin density (LHD) in distinguishing between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia trait (TT), which share similar clinical presentations but require different management strategies.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study, was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, on 357 patients of which, 76 were healthy control, 90 patients of thalassemia trait and 181 patients of IDA who presented with these diseases between May 2024 and September 2024. The recorded laboratory data of patients include complete blood count, serum ferritin, and Hb electrophoresis. LHD and MAF were calculated from these parameters.

Results: Among the studied patients, 82.4% were females, and 17.6% were males. The age group most significantly impacted by iron deficiency anemia was adults aged 21 to 40 years. Individuals aged 1 to 20 years were most frequently affected by the Thalassemia Trait, and adults aged 61 to 80 years were the least affected by both conditions. LHD (low hemoglobin density) and MAF (microcytic anemia factor) are both statistically significant predictors of IDA. Based on these factors, the whole model is statistically significant (p <0.001) in predicting the presence of IDA.

Conclusion: Higher values of MAF and LHD are associated with lower odds of having IDA. Therefore, these findings suggest that MAF and LHD are important predictors in distinguishing between IDA and absence of IDA.