Assessment of the Usefulness of Red Cell Indices as a Screening Tool in Haemoglobin E Trait: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: HamoglobinE (HbE) is the second commonest structural haemoglobin variant and results from mutation in the β globin gene causing substitution of glutamic acid for lysine at position 26 of the β globin chain. When coinherited with β Thalassemia it becomes a major health burden.Objective: To assess the effectiveness of red cell parameters as a screening tool to identify haemoglobin E traits and to develop a score using red cell parameters which help to identify Haemoglobin E traits in population screening. Materials and methods:The study was carried out on 25 Haemoglobin E trait and 25 controls between 20 to 64 years of age. In all the participants' full blood count analysis and Haemoglobin variant analysis were done. Participants were selected after excluding all factors which affect red cell indices such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, pregnancy, liver disease, hypothyroidism, chronic alcohol consumption, Diabetes mellitus, Metformin treatment and recent blood transfusion. Comparative analysis of all haematological parameters done between two groups separately for males and females.