AbstractBackground: The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) requires costly and sophisticated work up. Red cell distribution width (RDW), a marker of anisocytosis of RBC is altered in iron deficiency anemia.
Aim: To assess the utility of RDW for the diagnosis of IDA in microcytic hypochromic anemias.
Materials and Methods: Ninety three samples with microcytic anemia were analysed and classified into IDA and Non IDA groups based on serum ferritin. Hematological parameters including RDW were obtained from fully automated hematology analyser ADVIA 2120. Biochemical parameters were derived from COBAS E411 & Ranbox Imola. Receivers operating curve (ROC) was done to assess the sensitivity and specificity of RDW in diagnosis of IDA.
Results: In this study 45 samples were classified as IDA using serum ferritin as gold standard. ROC gave a cut of value of RDW at 19.8 with best sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. The sensitivity of RDW was 86.67% and specificity of 45.83%.
Conclusion: RDW has limited specificity and moderate sensitivity for diagnosing IDA in microcytic anemias.
Keywords: Red Cell Distribution Width; Iron Deficiency Anemia; Microcytosis.