1*Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
2Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka, India
3Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka, India
4Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka, India
Corresponding author: Chythanya R, Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
Title: A Comparative evaluation of the value of Hemoglobin and Mean Corpuscular Volume in Diagnosing Iron deficiency Anemia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is a widespread nutritional disorder affecting 1.88 billion people globally. Accurate diagnosis is crucial, but serum ferritin's accuracy can be compromised in inflammatory conditions, liver disease, and cancer. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Hemoglobin (Hb) are essential markers in diagnosing IDA, but their synergistic value remains understudied.
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of combining MCV and Hb in identifying IDA, providing critical insights into their effectiveness as first-line diagnostic tools.
Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 190 adults (18-50 years) with anemia or low hemoglobin. Participants underwent comprehensive iron parameter analysis, including serum iron, serum transferrin, serum ferritin levels, and total iron binding capacity. Descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analysis were employed to examine relationships between MCV, Hb, and iron parameters.
Results: MCV demonstrated higher sensitivity (63-95%) and specificity (38.9-72.2%) than Hb across various iron deficiency indicators. Combining MCV with serum ferritin and transferrin saturation improved diagnostic accuracy. Notably, MCV showed higher accuracy than Hb in diagnosing IDA, especially when combined with serum ferritin and transferrin saturation.
Conclusion: This study highlights the diagnostic utility of MCV in detecting IDA, particularly when combined with serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Hb alone has limited diagnostic accuracy. Clinicians should use a multifaceted approach to diagnose IDA accurately, considering MCV as a complementary diagnostic tool. The study's findings have significant implications for clinical practice, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis to prevent IDA's far-reaching consequences.
Keywords: Iron Deficiency Anemia, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Hemoglobin, Diagnostic Accuracy, Prospective Cohort Study.
How to cite this article: Chythanya R | A Comparative evaluation of the value of Hemoglobin and Mean Corpuscular Volume in Diagnosing Iron deficiency Anemia: A Prospective Cohort Study| Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(16s): 517-521. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.16s.55
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None