Reticulocyte Haemoglobin Equivalent a Useful Indicator of Iron Deficiency in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Anaemia of Chronic Disease

Abstract

Objective: To find an association between RET-He and iron deficiency (ID) and evaluate its usefulness in detection of iron deficiency in patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and anaemia of chronic disease (ACD).
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration: Department of Pathology, Army Medical College (NUMS), Rawalpindi in collaboration with Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi.
Methodology: A total of 95 participants were selected and divided into three groups control, IDA and ACD after taking informed consent and obtaining ethical approval. Patients were selected according to WHO diagnostic criteria for IDA and ACD and subjected to testing for RET-He by using sysmex XN 3000 which quantifies haemoglobin content of reticulocytes via fluorescent flow cytometry. Blood counts were collected and analyzed by using SPSS version 22.
Results: Mean age of total population was 44.62 years and ranged from 16-85 years. Anemia was significant in female population in the IDA group. Mean value of RET-He in CG was 31.35 ± 1.5 4.16pg, in IDA group was 20.6 ± 4.16 and in ACD group was 26.3 ± 4.9 pg. RET-He was significantly low in the IDA group and in ACD it was moderately low. RET-He detected ID in both groups and a significant p-value of ˂0.001 was obtained.
Conclusion: RET-He is a useful indicator of ID which is not affected by inflammation and readily detects iron deficiency.