HAEM Flashcards
Define Macrocytic Anaemia
Anaemia associated with a high MCV of erythrocytes (>100fl in adults)
Aetiology/ Risk Factors of macrocytic anaemia
• Megaloblastic - when the bone marrow produces unusually large, structurally
abnormal, immature red cells
o Caused by deficiency of B12 or folate required for the
conversion of deoxyuridate to thymidylate, DNA
synthesis and nuclear maturation
o Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency:
• Reduced absorption (e.g. post-gastrectomy, pernicious anaemia, terminal ileal resection or disease)
• Reduced intake (vegans)
• Abnormal metabolism (congenital transcobalamin II deficiency)
o Causes of Folate Deficiency:
• Reduced intake (alcoholics, elderly, anorexia)
• Increased demand (pregnancy, lactation, malignancy, chronic inflammation)
• Reduced absorption
• Jejunal disease (e.g. coeliac disease)
• Drugs (e.g. phenytoin)
o Drugs
• Methotrexate (dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor)
• Hydroxyurea
• Azathioprine
• Zidovudine
• Non-Megaloblastic
o Alcohol excess
o Liver disease
o Myelodysplasia
o Multiple myeloma
o Hypothyroidism
o Haemolysis (shift to immature red cell form - reticulocytosis)
o Drugs (e.g. tyrosine kinase inhibitor)
Epidemiology of macrocytic anaemia
- More common in ELDERLY FEMALES
* Pernicious anaemia is the MOST COMMON cause of B12 deficiency in the West
Presenting symptoms of macrocytic anaemia
• Non-specific symptoms of anaemia:
o Tiredness
o Lethargy o Dyspnoea
• Family history of autoimmune disease
• Previous GI surgery
• Symptoms of the CAUSE (e.g. weight loss, diarrhoea)
Signs of macrocytic anaemia on physical examination
• Signs of Anaemia o Pallor o Tachycardia o Breathlessness • Signs of Pernicious Anaemia o Mild jaundice o Glossitis o Angular stomatitis o Weight loss • Signs of B12 Deficiency o Peripheral neuropathy o Ataxia o Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord o Optic atrophy o Dementia
Investigations for macrocytic anaemia
• Bloods
o FBC
• High MCV
• Pancytopaenia in megaloblastic anaemia
• Different degrees of cytopaenia in myelodysplasia
• Exclude reticulocytosis
o LFT
• High bilirubin (due to ineffective erythropoiesis or haemolysis)
o ESR
o TFT
o Serum vitamin B12
o Red cell folate
o Anti-parietal cell and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies
o Serum protein electrophoresis - looking for a dense band in myeloma
• Blood Film
o Large erythrocytes
o In megaloblastic anaemia:
• Megaloblasts
• Hypersegmented neutrophil nuclei
• Schilling Test
o Method of testing for pernicious anaemia
o B12 will only be absorbed when given with intrinsic factor
• Bone Marrow Biopsy (rarely needed)
• Investigations for the cause
Management plan for macrocytic anaemia
• Pernicious Anaemia o IM hydroxycobalamin for life • Folate Deficiency o Oral folic acid o If B12 deficiency is present, it must be treated before the folic acid deficiency
Complications of macrocytic anaemia
- Pernicious anaemia –> increased risk of gastric cancer
* Pregnancy - folate deficiency increases the risk of neural tube defects
Prognosis for patients with macrocytic anaemia
• Majority are treatable if there are no complications
Define microcytic anaemia
Anaemia associated with a low MCV (<80 fl)
Aetiology/ Risk factors of microcytic anaemia
• Iron Deficiency - MOST COMMON
o Iron deficiency can be caused by:
• Blood loss (e.g. GI)
• Reduced absorption (e.g. small bowel disease)
• Increased demands (e.g. growth, pregnancy)
• Reduced intake (e.g. vegans)
• Anaemia of Chronic Disease
o Microcytic anaemia in a patient with chronic disease
• Thalassemia
• Sideroblastic Anaemia
o Abnormality of haem synthesis
o It can be inherited or it can be secondary (e.g. to alcohol, drugs)
Epidemiology of microcytic anaemia
• Iron deficiency anaemia is the MOST COMMON form of anaemia worldwide
Presenting symptoms of microcytic anaemia
• Non-Specific o Tiredness o Lethargy o Malaise o Dyspnoea o Pallor o Exacerbation of ischaemic conditions (e.g. angina, intermittent claudication) • Lead Poisoning - can cause microcytic anaemia Symptoms of lead poisoning o Anorexia o Nausea/Vomiting o Abdominal pain o Constipation o Peripheral nerve lesions
Signs of microcytic anaemia on physical examination
• Signs of anaemia o Pallor o Brittle nails and hair o Koilonychia (if severe) • Glossitis • Angular stomatitis • Signs of thalassemia • Lead poisoning signs: o Blue gumline o Peripheral nerve lesions (causing wrist or foot drop) o Encephalopathy o Convulsions o Reduced consciousness
Investigations for microcytic anaemia
• Bloods o FBC • Low Hb • Low MCV • Reticulocytes o Serum iron (low in iron deficiency) o Total iron binding capacity (high in iron deficiency) o Serum ferritin (low in iron deficiency) o Serum lead • Blood Film o Iron deficiency anaemia: • Microcytic • Hypochromic • Anisocytosis • Poikilocytosis o Sideroblastic anaemia: • Dimorphic blood film • Hypochromic microcytic cells o Lead poisoning: • Basophilic stippling • Hb Electrophoresis o Checking for haemoglobin variants and thalassemia • Sideroblastic Anaemia o Ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow • Special investigations for iron deficiency anaemia if > 40 yrs and post-menopausal women These are considered if no obvious cause of blood loss is identified o Upper GI endoscopy o Colonoscopy o Haematuria
Management plan for microcytic anaemia
• Iron Deficiency - oral iron supplements • Sideroblastic Anaemia o Treat the cause o Pyridoxine used in inherited forms o Blood transfusion and iron chelation can be considered if there is no response to other treatments • Lead Poisoning o Remove the source o Dimercaprol o D-penicillinamine
Complications of microcytic anaemia
- High-output cardiac failure
* Complications related to the CAUSE
Prognosis for patients with microcytic anaemia
• Depends on the CAUSE
Define Normocytic Anaemia
Anaemia with a normal MCV (80-100)
Aetiology/ Risk Factors of normocytic anaemia
• Causes:
o Decreased production of normal-sized blood cells (e.g. anaemic of chronic disease, aplastic anaemia)
o Increased production of HbS (sickle cell disease)
o Increased destruction of red blood cells (e.g. haemolysis, post-haemorrhagic anaemia)
o Uncompensated increase in plasma volume (e.g. pregnancy, fluid overload) o Vitamin B2 deficiency
o Vitamin B6 deficiency
Epidemiology of normocytic anaemia
Common
Presenting symptoms and signs of normocytic anaemia
• Typical symptoms and signs of anaemia (depends on severity)
o E.g. breathlessness, fatigue, conjunctival pallor
Investigations for normocytic anaemia
- FBC - check Hb and MCV
* Check history for haemorrhage