Study of clinico-pathological profile in patients with megaloblastic anemia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the clinico-pathological profile in patients with megaloblastic anemia. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pathology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Study Period: June 2022 to July 2023. Material & Methods: The study subjects were 100 patients suffering from megaloblastic anemia. Using convenient sampling technique, blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count (CBC) and peripheral blood morphology followed by serum B12, serum and red cell folate levels and the bone marrow examination. SPSS version 23 was utilized to analyze the data. The results of variables including age, gender, clinical features and hematological profile were analyzed. Results: Out of 100 diagnosed patients of megaloblastic anemia, 51 (51%) were males, whereas 49 (49%) were females. Anemia alone was present in 18(18%), 11(11%) had anemia along with leucopenia, 14 (14%) faced anemia with thrombocytopenia, 57(57%) had pancytopenia while 16(16%) were pallor. Moreover, 01(01%) of the studied patients presented with fatigue and bleeding while 02 (2%) got weight loss. 10(10%) had fatigue accompanying with Pallor. 19(19%) faced pallor associated with fatigue and bleeding. 14(14%) had pallor accompanying with fatigue, Jaundice and weight loss. 37(37%) had pallor along with fatigue, bleeding, weight loss and jaundice. Conclusion: Males were more frequently affected by megaloblastic anaemia than females. The frequent clinical features appreciated were fatigue, pallor, weight loss, bleeding, and jaundice. Common cytopenia was pancytopenia, followed by bicytopenia.