ETIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PANCYTOPENIA

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the etiological profile of pancytopenia. Methods: This was an observational study done in 85 patients who presented with pancytopenia to the Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Kottayam. The study was carried out over a period of 1 year. The data were collected in a structured pro forma and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: The most common age group was 21–30 years, 29 (34.1%) of the 85 patients. 48 (56.5%) were males and 37 (43.5%) were females. Megaloblastic anemia was the most common etiology constituting 60 (70.6%). The most common presenting complaint was generalized weakness in 74 (87.1%). The most common clinical finding was pallor 77 (90.6%). The mean hemoglobin level was 6.81±1.51 g/dl, the mean total WBC count was 2768.39±791.2, and the mean platelet count was 0.87±0.43. Macrocytic anemia was the predominant blood picture in cytopenic patients. Hypercellular marrow was the most common marrow finding in 78.1%. Conclusion: Megaloblastic anemia was the most common cause of pancytopenia followed by aplastic anemia in the present study. Clinical alertness and suspicion can assure early diagnosis and treatment.