Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Sep 2010
Comparative StudyComparison of erythrocyte indices to differentiate between iron deficiency and alpha-thalassaemias in children with microcytosis and/or hypochromia.
Erythrocyte indices used to differentiate between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and thalassaemias have been studied mainly in countries with a high prevalence of IDA or beta-thalassaemias. This study was carried out in the United Arab Emirates where alpha-thalassaemias are prevalent. We studied the predictive value and Youden index of several indices in 85 children aged 6 months to 12 years with microcytosis and/or hypochromia, with or without anaemia (determined by serum measurement of iron or therapeutic iron trial). The best discriminatory indices for detecting IDA versus alpha-thalassaemias were a Green-King index > 65 (correctly identified 75.3% of children, Youden index 44.3) and red cell distribution width >14% (correctly identified 57.8%, Youden index 38.1).
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Sep 2010
Role of dipstick in detection of haeme pigment due to rhabdomyolysis in victims of Bam earthquake.
Avoiding life-threatening complications of rhabdomyolysis depends on early diagnosis and prompt management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of urinary dipstick test in the detection of haeme pigment in patients who were at risk of acute renal failure (ARF) due to rhabdomyolysis after suffering injury in the Bam earthquake. ⋯ We found no significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of dipstick urine and serum CPK tests for identifying patients who were at risk of ARF. However, dipstick urine test is an easy test that can be performed quickly at an earthquake site.