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Background: Beta thalassemia minor and iron deficiency anemia both exhibit microcytic hypochromic anemia commonly. Different screening indexes have been introduced in order to differentiate between BTT and iron deficiency anemia which are easy to approach and convenient. Objective: Our study aimed to differentiate and screen the BTT and iron deficiency anemia on the basis of different discrimination indexes in order to evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of those indexes. Results: In this study, data from 201 people were collected, in which 175 cases were confirmed diagnosed with heterozygous beta thalassemia having HbA2 equal to or greater than 3.5%. 26 out of 201 were presenting iron deficiency anemia confirmed via serum ferritin. Both genders were included in this study. Upon applying eight different discrimination indexes, none of them showed 100% specificity and sensitivity. However, Shine & Lal index was more sensitive (93%) in diagnosing BTT as compared to others. 166(94%) out of 175 confirmed cases were diagnosed to have beta thalassemia trait via the S&L index followed by the Ricerca index that screened about 74% of total diagnosed cases of beta thalassemia trait. RDWI was also helpful in screening beta thalassemia traits and diagnosed about 73% of confirmed cases of BTT. The order of sensitivity of indexes in detecting BTT is S&L > RICERCA > RDWI > MCHD > MI > E&F > SRIVASTAV > MDHL. E&F index and MDHL screened 92% of confirmed IDA cases showing 88% of sensitivity and were helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. The order of accuracy of indexes in diagnosing IDA is E&F = MDHL > SRIVASTAV > MI > RDWI= RICERCA > S&L > MCHD Conclusion: Upon studying the sensitivity and specificity of different discrimination indexes regarding BTT and IDA, none of them seemed 100% authentic and accurate to be relied upon. Only RICERCA appears to be the most reliable index to discriminate between BTT and IDA One should go for diagnostic lab tests after being screened with the discrimination index for getting correct and specific treatment and prevent any unpleasant condition upon relying and diagnosis on the basis of discrimination index. The discrimination index is helpful in screening some cases of BTT and IDA but it doesn't perfectly screen all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proposal writing before starting research study is the key component of the any research project and quality of the research depends upon how the proposal was designed and planned. Objectives of this study was to determine the frequency of most common errors in proposal writing by post graduate medical residents of College of physician and surgery of Pakistan (CPSP) at Peshawar. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried at Khyber College of Dentistry (KCD) Peshawar from August 2017 to May 2018. We conducted the reviewed of Form "S" of 43 proposals through convenience sampling. Each Form S consists of 34 questions. All the questions were dichotomous which were presented in the form of frequency and percentages. Data were analysed by SPSS-22. Result: Out of 43 proposal, the result shows that 53.5% (n=23) of the candidates have not explained the introduction in their own words while suitable statistical tests were not mentioned in more than half of the 67.4% (n=29) proposal. References were not written in Vancouver style 51.2% (n=22) as well as hypothesis was not applicable in 62.8% (n=27) of the studies. However only 39.5% (n=60.5) of the trainees phrased the hypothesis properly. Conclusion: Majority of the candidates were unable to write the proposal according to the recommended guidelines. Application of the appropriate statistical measures was found as a challenge for the candidates. Similarly, objectives were not clearly defined in terms of SMART concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]