CLINICOETIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE PATIENTS OF MACROCYTIC ANEMIA PRESENTING AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN KUMAON REGION OF UTRRAKHAND

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Macrocytosis is common in various clinical settings and it is found in approximately 1.7– 3.6% of people admitted for care for any cause [1, 2, 3]. Macrocytic anemia is generally classified as megaloblastic or nonmegaloblastic anemia. The causes of macrocytosis fall into two groups: (a) deficiency of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or folate (or rarely abnormalities of their metabolism) in which the bone marrow is megaloblastic and (b) other causes,in which the bone marrow is usually normoblastic.A high level of suspicion,proper elicitation of the history and thorough examination and investigation of the patient helps in the diagnosis of macrocytic anemia. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the etiology of macrocytic anemia at a tertiary care centre. To determine the etiology of macrocytic anemia.To evaluate clinical manifestations associated with macrocytic anemia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This 21 month Cross sectional observational study was carried out in OPD/IPD Department of Medicine, Government Medical College Haldwani (Uttarakhand). Full clinical examination and information regarding alcohol intake, dietary habit, drug intake, thyroid disorder and other comorbid illnesses was obtained.All patients were investigated with a completeHaemogramLiver function tests Serum TSH fasting vitamin B12 was measured Ultrasound as and when required. RESULT: In this study106 patients were taken 58 (45.3% ) were male and 48(54.7%) were females. Mean age was 44.83+16.85 years.Hemoglobin and MCV was in the range of 6.42 ± 2.09,(108.24 ± 7.10) respectively .The majority of patient,28 (52.83%) had vit B12 level in the range of 101 – 200 pg/ml,The majority of patients,44 (41.1%) had LDH level in the range of 281 – 1000 IU/L . CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a preponderance of young people.Vegetarians were most susceptible to MA especially cobalamin deficiency. Nutritional deficiency was the most common cause of MA, followed by alcohol and alcoholic liver disease.Data regarding the magnitude of the problem in different parts of India and the factors that might influence its incidence were lacking. Macrocytic anemia must be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin,mild icterus or pancytopenia.