DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF MENTZER INDEX FOR THALASSEMIA PREDICTION IN SUSPECTED PATIENTS OF PUNJAB

Thalassemia is a genetic disease and became a worldwide problem. Worldwide, about 3-8% of population are suffered from beta thalassemia. The aim of this study was to use Mentzer index for predicting the beta thalassemia patients in the population of Punjab. This was a retrospective study conducted between 2021 September to 2022 June. In the current study, about n=1000 patients were selected to screen out for beta thalassemia in which n=607 were positive while the remaining were negative for the disease. Their sample were analyzed by using ABACUS 380 hematology analyzer for CBCs and hemoglobinpathies analysis and HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) for Hb analysis. Out of n=607 patients, 47 have beta thalassemia major in which 22 were male and 25 females respectively. In this study thalassemia positive females were 57.85% (n=350/605) and males were 65.06% (n=257/395). The prevalence of beta thalassemia was high (65.9%) in 16-30 years age group (P=<0.001).N=345 patients were positive for beta thalassemia minor in which 130 were male and 215 were female respectively. About n=179 patients were positive for beta thalassemia intermedia in which 89 were male and 90 were female patients. Thalassemia major was characterized by low level of Hb, HbA2 values between 3.5 to 9%, MCV between 50<70 fl and MCH >12<20 pg. But for beta thalassemia intermedia, the Hb were between 7 and 10 g/dl, MCV from 50-80fl and MCH between 16-24 pg. Thalassemia minor was categorized by slight low level of Hb, HbA2 values between 11.5-15.3%, RBCs between 4.8-5.3 million cells per microliter, MCV between 70<79 fl, MCH <27 pg and MCHC <30 g/dl respectively. Hemoglobinpathies such as Hb, HbA1, HbF and HbA were found significant (P=0.00) in both male and female patients This study recommends many diagnostic facilities, prevention centers to speed up the awareness camp and communicate with the family for screenings in regions of Punjab. Mentzer index could be used to predict the diagnosis of beta thalassemia.