From Concept to Implementation: Clinical Utilization of Mentzer Score as A Screening Tool for the Differentiation of Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Beta Thalassemia Trait

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and Thalassemia minor are the major causes of hypochromic and microcytic anemia. The present study was to determine the role of mentzer score in IDA and thalassemia trait patients from various parts of Pakistan who presented with microcytic hypochromic anemia at our centre. Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Dr. Essa Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre hematology department in Karachi from June 2024 to January 2025. The complete blood picture (CBC) was done by using XP-100 Sysmex analyzer. The mentzer score was calculated by dividing MCV with RBC. The score >13 was considered as an operational criterion for IDA. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for the continuous variables. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated by SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 230 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 22±14.4 years. A significantly low Hb with High RBC counts HbA2 levels were observed in patients with Thalassemia minor (p=<0.001). The Hb and RBC indices were significantly low in IDA patients(p=<0.001). The sensitivity of Mentzer index >13 in IDA patients was found to be 73.2%. Conclusion: Mentzer score can be used as a simple and easy to calculate index for the differentiation of IDA. However, Hb electrophoresis is the reliable test for the diagnosis of Thalassemia minor.