Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Table 1 lists the tests currently available for evaluating iron-restricted erythropoiesis in iron deficiency and in ACD.19–23 Important considerations in the choice of diagnostic tests should be the availability, affordability, sensitivity, specificity, and minimal time required for receiving POC results. Red cell indices described in the upper 4 rows are an excellent starting point, offering knowledge regarding the duration and severity of iron deficient erythropoiesis (IDA and ACD). Because of the low specificity of red cell indices, the next set of tests should include serum iron, transferrin and ferritin. Ideally, these tests should offer a clear distinction between IDA and ACD. However, in real life, and in particular in developing countries with populations at the highest risk of anemia, IDA and ACD often coexist and the opposing directions of lab results make diagnosis difficult. This is the point where a third set of tests should be considered: ZPP/H, sTfR and hepcidin. Two of these three are the subjects of the present study by Kanuri et al. Their results show high sensitivity for IDA, but specificity could not be determined because of the design of studies pre-selecting only subjects with IDA documented by ferritin less than 12 ng/mL and an increased sTfR/log ferritin ratio.
Table 1.
Diagnostic biomarkers of iron-restricted erythropoiesis.*
Source: Haematologica
Author: Chaim Hershko
Institutions: Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Bikur Cholim Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,157
OpenAlex ID: W2903364096