Diagnostic Accuracy of Mentzer Index in Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia Keeping Serum Ferritin Levels as Gold Standard

Abstract

Background: The diagnostic tests widely used for iron deficiency anemia are complete blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin level. These examinations have mainly been used in clinical practice. One of the laboratory examination parameters that can be used for thalassemia carrier screening test is Mentzer index. Mentzer index is an MCV/RBC ratio calculation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 26^th July 2021 to 25^th January 2022 in the Pediatrics department, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. A total of 160 children age 6 – 59 months, of either gender presenting to opd for routine checkup were included. Children with history of blood diseases, chronic infection, inflammatiory diseases and malnourished were excluded. Blood specimens were obtained twice form subjects. The first specimen was used for CBC and Mentzer index. Children with hypochromic microcytic anemia was provided a second blood specimen for serum ferritin measurements. Serum ferritin was measured by ELISA using a Mini Vidas kit. IDA was considered to be diagnosed by Mentzer index, serum ferritin.

Results: Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of Mentzer index in diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia keeping serum ferritin levels as gold standard was 78.26%, 86.81%, 81.82%, 84.04% and 83.13% respectively.

Conclusion: This study has shown that diagnostic accuracy of Mentzer index in diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is quite high.