Abstract
Background and Objectives: Palmar creases may become as pale as the surrounding skin in severe anemia. However, its sensitivity for assessing severe anemia is questionable, especially in Indian perspective. The study was conducted to evaluate the value of palmar creases in detecting severe anemia. Materials and Methods: Patients with laboratory confirmed anemia were assessed for pallor of palmar creases without information of patient's hemoglobin (Hb) value to the observer. Sensitivity and specificity of palmar creases pallor were assessed for severe anemia. Role of clinical signs such as severe pallor of conjunctiva, tongue and nail-beds and pulmonary ejection systolic murmur were also assessed for predicting severe anemia. Results: Of 200 patients, 50 had severe anemia (Hb 1200. Severe pallor of conjunctiva, tongue and nail-beds and pulmonary ejection systolic murmur were more sensitive, but specificity of them was less for severe anemia. Conclusions: Color of palmar creases is a poorly sensitive indicator of the severe anemia especially in Indians due to the pigmentation of creases. Hence, the absence of palmar crease pallor is not likely to be of use in ruling out severe anemia.
Highlights
Background and ObjectivesPalmar creases may become as pale as the surrounding skin in severe anemia
Tongue, and nail-beds, and pulmonary ejection systolic murmur were assessed by four other physicians separately
The results were quite similar to our study as our study suggested that absence of palmar crease pallor does not rule out severe anemia and severe tongue pallor has highest sensitivity for severe anemia (88%)
Summary
Palmar creases may become as pale as the surrounding skin in severe anemia. Its sensitivity for assessing severe anemia is questionable, especially in Indian perspective. Sensitivity and specificity of palmar creases pallor were assessed for severe anemia. Role of clinical signs such as severe pallor of conjunctiva, tongue and nail-beds and pulmonary ejection systolic murmur were assessed for predicting severe anemia. Results: Of 200 patients, 50 had severe anemia (Hb 1200. Tongue and nail-beds and pulmonary ejection systolic murmur were more sensitive, but specificity of them was less for severe anemia. Conclusions: Color of palmar creases is a poorly sensitive indicator of the severe anemia especially in Indians due to the pigmentation of creases. The absence of palmar crease pallor is not likely to be of use in ruling out severe anemia
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Medicine and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.