Biochemical and Statistical Predictors of Iron‑deficiency Anemia among Patients with Normochromic Normocytic Anemia
The chronic illness anemia is often mild‑to‑moderate normocytic normochromic anemia, which changes with time to become hypochromic or microcytic. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the biochemical and statistical predictors of iron‑deficiency anemia (IDA) among patients presenting with normochromic normocytic anemia. METHODOLOGY: A cross‑sectional observational study comprising 120 anemic patients visiting the outpatient clinic between May 2025 and November 2025. The parameters of complete blood count, serum ferritin, serum iron, and total iron‑binding capacity (TIBC) have been tested, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) has been computed. RESULTS: Patients who had IDA were much younger and were mostly women in comparison to the normocytic anemia. There was no significant difference in hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and red cell distribution width between the groups. The levels of ferritin, serum iron, and TSAT were much smaller, whereas the level of TIBC was much greater in the IDA group. Multivariate logistic regression found the independent predictors of IDA to be ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, and TSAT, but no significant predictive value in the red blood cell (RBC) indices. Correlation analysis proved the existence of physiologically consistent correlations between markers of iron profile parameters. CONCLUSION: IDA is prevalent in patients with normochromic normocytic anemia, and it cannot be excluded with the help of RBC indices. The use of iron profile parameters will help in making a correct diagnosis and early detection to enhance the clinical decision‑making and management of patients