Archives of Advances in Biosciences

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025)

Abnormal Hemoglobin Variants – a Single Center Hospital-Based Study: Comparison of Sensitivity of Three Red Cell Indices for the Diagnosis of Beta Thalassemia Trait

Archives of Advances in Biosciences, Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025), 2 March 2025 , Page 1-5
https://doi.org/10.22037/aab.v16i1.51342

Abstract

Background and Aim: The frequency of the beta thalassaemia gene in India is 3.3 %, with considerable regional variations. There is limited data regarding the prevalence of beta thalassaemia in the state of Kerala. We studied the clinical and haematologic profile of cases with haemoglobinopathy, with special emphasis on beta thalassaemia trait (BTT). The sensitivity of the Mentzer Index (MI), Ricerca Index (RI), and Green & King Index (GKI) in diagnosing BTT was also evaluated.

Methods: Cases with a new diagnosis of haemoglobinopathy at a single center in Kerala between November 2023 and October 2024 were included in this study based on a chart review. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect abnormal haemoglobin variants. Clinical presentation, the red cell parameters – haemoglobin, RBC count, mean corpuscular volume, and red cell distribution width – were recorded. MI, RI and GKI in BTT cases were calculated.

Results: There were 1021 new registrations in the Haematology clinic at the time of the study. 72 cases had abnormal haemoglobin variants. Among them, 60 cases (83.33 %) had BTT. Sickle haemoglobin was present in 7 cases (9.7 %). The median age of the BTT cases was 37.5 years (range 3 – 79), and 60 % were female. Fatigue was the predominant symptom, reported in 65 % of cases. Anaemia was present in 86.67 % (52/60) of patients. The median Hb level was 10 g/dL (range 7 – 14.1). Hemolytic anaemia was observed in 15 % of patients. The sensitivity of MI, RI, and GKI in diagnosing BTT was 51.67 %, 86.67 %, and 53.33 %, respectively.

Conclusion: BTT is a significant cause of anaemia in our population. RI exhibited higher sensitivity than the MI and GKI for the diagnosis of BTT.

Keywords:
  • Beta Thalassemia
  • Erythrocyte Indices
  • Hemoglobinopathies
  • Screening tool
  • Sensitivity

How to Cite

Prabhu, R. S., & SN, R. (2026). Abnormal Hemoglobin Variants – a Single Center Hospital-Based Study: Comparison of Sensitivity of Three Red Cell Indices for the Diagnosis of Beta Thalassemia Trait. Archives of Advances in Biosciences, 16(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.22037/aab.v16i1.51342

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