The diagnostic evaluation of Hb strip test and CuSo4 in measurement of Hb compared with gold standard method in blood donors in Mashad

Background and ObjectivesHeamoglobin color scale (HCS) is a simple, reliable, and inexpensive method for screening blood donors before donation. We decided to carry out this study to compare the diagnostic value of Hb strip test and CuSo4 test with the gold standard method (cyan metheamolgobin). Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 506 blood donors were selected. At first, the Hb level of skin puncture blood was measured by CuSo4 method and Hb strip test. Then, venepuncture samples taken from all donors were measured with cyan metheamoglobin method. The acceptance criteria of Hb in strip test is the level higher than 14 g/dL and in cyan metheamoglobin the level higher than 12.5g/dL. Chi-square was performed for final data analysis using SPSS 13. ResultsAnalysis of results showed that sensivity and specifity rates of Hb strip test with positive predictive value of 23.3% are 100% and 95.6%, respectively. In the CuSo4 method sensivity and specifity were 100% and 95% with the reportedly positive predictive value of 21.8%. Comparison of Hb strip test and CuSo4 method with the gold standard test (cyan metheamoglobin) showed a significant difference (p< 0.005). Cell counter results indicated that the level of Hb in 41 out of 506 blood donors was higher than 17 g/dL which is not countable in the Hb strip test. ConclusionsThis study showed Hb strip test compaired with CuSo4 method has a higher sensivity and specifity rate; thus, it can be used as a simple, reliable and inexpensive method.