Anaemia Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most common type of anaemia?

A

Iron deficiency anaemia

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2
Q

What is the main cause of iron deficiency anaemia?

A

Inadequate dietary intake of iron

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3
Q

What are the 3 main types of anaemia and how do you investigate for each one?

A

Microcytic MCV <80 - iron studies
Normocytic MCV 80-100 - reticulocyte count
Macrocytic MCV >100 - blood film

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4
Q

What are the symptoms of anaemia?

A

Fatigue
weakness
pallor
shortness of breath
dizziness
palpitations
Cold peripheries

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5
Q

What is the treatment for iron deficiency anaemia?

A

Iron supplementation 50-100mg and dietary changes

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6
Q

What is pernicious anaemia?

A

Autoimmune disorder affecting gastric mucosa
Antibodies against intrinsic factor - block b12 binding site and antibodies for gastric parietal cells reduce acid production and atrophic gastritis leading reduced intrinsic factor - reduced b12 absorption
Leads to B12 deficiency -> megaloblastic anaemia and neuropathy

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7
Q

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

A

To carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body

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8
Q

What is the term for the process of red blood cell production?

A

Erythropoiesis

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9
Q

What is the hormone responsible for stimulating erythropoiesis?

A

Erythropoietin

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10
Q

What is the term for the destruction of red blood cells?

A

Hemolysis

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11
Q

What is the most common symptom of sickle cell anaemia?

A

Painful vaso-occlusive crises

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12
Q

What is the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell anaemia?

A

Hemoglobin S

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13
Q

What is the treatment for acute chest syndrome in sickle cell?

A

Pain relief
Resp support e.g. oxygen therapy
Abx
Blood transfusion

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14
Q

Features of pernicious anaemia?

A

Anaemia features - pallor, lethargy, dysponea

Neurological features - peripheral neuropathy typically symmetrical legs more than arms
subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord - ataxia, progressive weakness, parasthesia progress to spasticity and paraplegia
Neuropsychiatric features - memory loss, poor concentration, confusion, depression, irritability

Other features
Mild jaundice (lemon tinge)
Atrophic glossitis

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15
Q

What is the term for anaemia caused by a decrease in red blood cell production due to bone marrow failure?

A

Aplastic anaemia

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16
Q

What is the term for anaemia caused by an autoimmune reaction against red blood cells?

A

Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia

17
Q

What is the term for anaemia caused by an inherited defect in the red blood cell membrane?

A

Hereditary spherocytosis

18
Q

What is the term for the inherited disorder that results in abnormal hemoglobin production?

A

Thalassemia

19
Q

What is the most common type of thalassemia?

A

Beta thalassemia

20
Q

What is the treatment for thalassemia?

A

Repeated Blood transfusions - can lead to iron overload and organ failure
Iron chelation therapy important

21
Q

What are the types of macrocytic anaemia and what is seen on blood film?

A

Megaloblastic - large immature RBC with hyper-segmented neutrophils

Non-megaloblastic - large mature RBC

22
Q

What is the term for anaemia caused by a decrease in red blood cell lifespan due to conditions like sickle cell disease or thalassemia?

A

Hemolytic anaemia

23
Q

Intravascular causes of haemolytic anaemia?

A

Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Haemolytic ureamic syndrome
Mechanical heart valve

24
Q

Normocytic anaemia with high reticulocyte count?

A

Haemolytic anaemia
Blood loss

25
What is the term for anaemia caused by a decrease in red blood cell production due to bone marrow suppression or failure?
Aplastic anaemia
26
Causes of microcytic anaemia?
Thalassaemia Anaemia of chronic disease Iron deficiency Lead poisoning Sideroblastic anaemia
27
Investigations for haemolytic anaemia?
LDH (increased) Reticulocytes (increased) Bilirubin (increased) Haptoglobin (decreased as more is bound to free Hb)
28
What are the clinical findings of anaemia?
General or conjunctival pallor Rapid or irregular heartbeat Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly (consider lymphoma or leukaemia) Pelvic or rectal exam may be indicated to assess for blood loss
29
What are the possible causes of megaloblastic anaemia?
Vitamin B12 deficiency Folate deficiency Drug induced
30
What are the possible causes of non-megaloblastic anaemia?
Alcohol abuse Hypothyroidism Pregnancy
31
Causes of extravascular haemolytic anaemia?
Hypersplenism Sickle cell anaemia Spherocytosis Malaria
32
Normocytic anaemia with low reticulocyte count?
Bone marrow disorder (aplastic anaemia)
33
What do you transfuse for DIC?
Platelets (as low plts) Cryoprecipitate (as low fibrinogen) FFP (for APTT and PT)
34
Triggers for DIC
Malignancy Sepsis Trauma Burns Obstetric emergency