Gen Med Flashcards
Name 6 causes of microcytic anaemia
Thalassaemia Iron Deficiency Chronic Disease Sideroblastic/Sickle Cell Lead Poisoning
By what mechanism does iron deficiency lead to microcytic anaemia?
Less iron, less haemoglobin, less cell content therefore smaller cell (microcytic)
What blood results would you expect to see in a microcytic anaemia?
Low Hb
Low MCV
Name common causes of iron deficiency
Bleeding (slow, chronic, eg GI bleed, menorrhagia) Decrease absorption (coeliac disease) Low in diet Pregnancy (due to increased demand) Parasitic infection (tape or round worm)
What blood results would you expect in a normocytic anaemia?
Low HB
Normal MCV
List 4 causes of normocytic anaemia
Bone marrow failure
Haemolytic anaemia
Renal Disease
After acute blood loss
What blood results would you see in a microcytic anaemia?
Low Hb
Higher than normal MCV
How can microcytic anaemia be further sub divided?
Megaloblastic
Non-megaloblastic
Give 2 causes of megaloblastic anaemia
Folate deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
By what mechanism does folate deficiency lead to anaemia?
Decreased folate, therefore decreased purines.
Therefore RBCs precursors have inability to make DNA
Therefore the DNA can’t divide, therefore forms megaloblastic cells
Give 3 common causes of folate deficiency
Crohn’s disease
Methotrexate
Pregnancy
Give 4 common causes of non-megaloblastic microcytic anaemia
Alcohol
Myelodysplasia
Liver disease
Aplastic anaemia
What condition presents with a temporary, painless, loss of vision in one eye? Patients describe a black curtain descending across the eye.
Amaurosis Fugax
Indicative of transient retinal ischaemia
How would one manage Amaurosis Fugax?
If caused by atherosclerosis- aspirin
Perhaps carotid endarterectomy
If left untreated, what complications may occur from Amaurosis Fugax?
Stroke
List 4 types of causes of Amaurosis Fugax
Embolic Idiopathic Atherosclerosis/Stenosis Temporary vasospasm Giant Cell Arteritis Optic Neuritis
What symptoms may present in Granulomatosis with Polyangitis
General- tiredness, fever, weakness, weight loss
H&N- Nosebleeds, face pain, hearing loss
Renal- haematuria, hypertension, Glomerulonephritis
Resp- cough that doesn’t go away, SOB, chest pain
Eyes- conjunctivitis, double vision
GI- diarrhoea
What blood test confirms diagnosis of Granulomatosis with Polyangitis?
ANCA
Anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
How might one treat Granulomatosis with Polyangitis?
Bringing condition under control- cyclophosphamide every 2/3 weeks, steroids daily
Keeping under control- reducing cyclophosphamide and swapping to another less potent
A positive ANCA blood test would indicate which rare condition?
Granulomatosis with Polyangitis
