Matos et al reported an equation that can help to evaluate a patient with microcytic anemia who may have either iron deficiency or thalassemia trait. The authors are from multiple institutions in Ouro Preto and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.
Selection of subjects for thalassemia: adequate ferritin; if HbA2 was > 3.5 g/dL then beta-thalassemia traits; if HbA2 < 3.5 g.dL then alpha thalassemia trait.
Parameters:
(1) RBC count in 10^6 per µL
(2) MCHC in percent (correct units gram hemoglobin per dL erythrocytes)
Matos and Carvalho index = MCI =
= (1.91 * (RBC)) + (0.44 * (MCHC))
Interpretation:
• Iron deficiency anemia is indicated by a value < 23.85.
• Thalassemia trait is indicated by a value > 23.85.
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve is 0.95.
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