VALIDITY OF MENTZER INDEX AS A SCREENING TOOL FOR β-THALASSEMIA

Hemoglobinopathies are most common monogenic hereditary disorders. β-thalassemias and their interaction with hemoglobin E (Hb E) and hemoglobin S (Hb S) are a considerable health problem in India. Hemoglobinopathies are diagnosed by HPLC based on the fractions of normal and aberrant hemoglobin variants. It is a costly setup and available in only few referral centers. To assess predictive value of Mentzer index Objectives: in identication of thalassemia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Material And Methods: the GIMS, Gadag from December 2020 to may 2022. A total number of 1070 patients with anemia were included in present study. In the present st Results: udy the mean age of patients with anemia was 25.8 years. 80.8% were females and 19.2% were males. 95.2% of patients with anemia showed absence of abnormal hemoglobin variant and 2.4% of the patients had BTT, 2.9% of other hemoglobinopathies. Hemoglobinopathies Conclusion: are public health issues and can have patients from pediatric/adolescent to adult care. HPLC is the gold standard to quantify normal and aberrant hemoglobin fractions. Various discriminant indices add value in identifying the patients with anemia in whom HPLC is indicated for detection of hemoglobinopathies.