RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To compare levels of HbA2, HbE, HbF, and red cell parameters (total Hb, PCV, MCV, and MCH) and also determine their appropriated cut-off points for initial discrimination between homozygous HbE with and without α0-thalassemia trait. METHODS: Hb analysis results from capillary electrophoresis (CE) and red cell parameters of homozygous HbE without α0-thalassemia trait (n = 41) and with α0-thalassemia trait (n = 17) were reviewed. RESULTS: The MCV, MCH, and HbE of homozygous HbE with α0-thalassemia trait were significantly lower than those of homozygous HbE without α0-thalassemia, while HbA2 levels of the former were significantly higher than those of the latter. HbA2 at a cut-off point of 5.3% had 69.0% efficiency in discrimination between the 2 groups. It could also reduce 56.1% of homozygous HbE samples for α0-thalassemia testing. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated HbA2 ≥5.3% is a useful marker for initial discrimination between homozygous HbE with and without α0-thalassemia trait.