| | Case | Control |
| Number of patients | 125 (75 M/50 F) | 60 | Mean MCV | 96.88 fl | 82 fl | MCV > 100 fl | 54.4% (68/125) | Nil | Mean RDW | 20.9 | 14.6 | RDW ↑ | 60.8% (76/125) | 16.67% (10/60) | Serum ferritin | Normal | Normal | Folic acid | Normal | Normal | Vitamin B12 | Normal | Normal | Mean Hb A2 | 3.462% (SD 0.675) | 2.815% (SD 0.246) | <3 Hb A2 | 11.2% (14/125) | 70% (42/60) | 3–3.5 Hb A2 | 56.8% (71/125) | 30% (18/60) | >3.5 Hb A2 | 32% (40/125) 37.33% (28/75) male; 24% (12/50) female | None | Osmotic fragility (OF) | Normal | Normal |
|
|