Research Article

Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey

Volume: 16 Number: 4 January 1, 2026
TR EN

Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey

Abstract

Aim: Accurate clinical differentiation between Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and beta-thalassemia (β-TM) is critical for disease management and the determination of effective treatment strategies. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to comparatively evaluate the laboratory methods and hematologic indices used for the diagnostic differentiation between IDA and thalassemia. The study examined the differences between routine biochemistry analyses of IDA and thalassemia and the effectiveness of eight different indices used to diagnose these diseases. Material and Methods: Routine hematological parameters of patients diagnosed with IDA and β-TM Minor were analyzed retrospectively. Menzier Index (MI), Green and King Index (G&K), England and Fraser Index (E&F), Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Index (RDWI), Ricarca Index (RI), Srivastava Index (S), Sirdah Index (SI), and Ehsani Index were calculated and their diagnostic efficiency was evaluated. Results: When eight discrimination indices were evaluated, G&K and E&F indices were the most effective in differentiating IDA and β-TM. These indices showed high sensitivity and specificity rates with Youden index values of 81.41% and 80.24%, respectively. As a result of the comparative evaluation of other discriminatory indices, the diagnostic performance order for distinguishing between IDA and β-TM was determined to be G&K > E&F > SI > RDWI > RI > MI > E > S > RBC. Conclusion: Using various hematologic indices increases the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating IDA and β-TM. In particular, G&K and E&F indices may facilitate accurate diagnosis and enable more effective clinical management processes.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Medical Research Ethics Committee with protocol number 2025/05-388.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Haematology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 1, 2026

Submission Date

May 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 4

APA
Üremiş, N., Belge Kurutas, E., & Çitil, M. (2026). Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, 16(4), 440-448. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1697505
AMA
1.Üremiş N, Belge Kurutas E, Çitil M. Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey. TJCL. 2026;16(4):440-448. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1697505
Chicago
Üremiş, Nuray, Ergul Belge Kurutas, and Medine Çitil. 2026. “Comparison of Haematological Indices in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Thalassaemia: A Retrospective Study in Turkey”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16 (4): 440-48. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1697505.
EndNote
Üremiş N, Belge Kurutas E, Çitil M (January 1, 2026) Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16 4 440–448.
IEEE
[1]N. Üremiş, E. Belge Kurutas, and M. Çitil, “Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey”, TJCL, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 440–448, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.18663/tjcl.1697505.
ISNAD
Üremiş, Nuray - Belge Kurutas, Ergul - Çitil, Medine. “Comparison of Haematological Indices in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Thalassaemia: A Retrospective Study in Turkey”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16/4 (January 1, 2026): 440-448. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1697505.
JAMA
1.Üremiş N, Belge Kurutas E, Çitil M. Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey. TJCL. 2026;16:440–448.
MLA
Üremiş, Nuray, et al. “Comparison of Haematological Indices in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Thalassaemia: A Retrospective Study in Turkey”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, vol. 16, no. 4, Jan. 2026, pp. 440-8, doi:10.18663/tjcl.1697505.
Vancouver
1.Nuray Üremiş, Ergul Belge Kurutas, Medine Çitil. Comparison of haematological indices in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia: a retrospective study in Turkey. TJCL. 2026 Jan. 1;16(4):440-8. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1697505

e-ISSN: 2149-8296

Publication Model: Continuous Publication

Peer Review Model: Double-Blind Peer Review

Publication Language: Turkish and English

Access Model: Open Access

DOI Prefix: (Crossref DOI numaranız)

Publisher: DNT Ortadoğu Publishing Inc.

Journal Abbreviation: Turk J Clin Lab

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