Background: Macrocytic anaemia (MCV ≥ 100 fL) is a relatively common finding in general practice. However, literature on the prevalence of the different causes in this population is limited. The prevalence of macrocytic anaemia and its underlying aetiology were analysed in a general practice population. The potential effect of the different aetiology on survival was also evaluated.
Methods: Between the 1st of February 2007 and the 1st of February 2015, patients aged 50 years or older and presenting to their general practitioner with a newly diagnosed anaemia, were included in the study. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin level below 13.7 g/dL in men and below 12.1 g/dL in women. A broad range of laboratory tests was performed for each patient. The causes of anaemia were consequently determined by two independent observers based on the laboratory results.
Results: Of the 3324 included patients, 249 (7.5 %) displayed a macrocytic anaemia and were subsequently analysed. An underlying explanation could be established in 204 patients (81.9 %) with 27 patients (13.2 %) displaying multiple causes. Classic aetiology (i.e. alcohol abuse, vitamin B12/folic acid deficiency, haemolysis and possible bone marrow disease) was found in 115 patients. Alternative causes (i.e. anaemia of chronic disease, iron deficiency, renal anaemia and other causes) were encountered in 101 patients. In addition, a notable finding was the median gamma GT of 277 U/L in patients diagnosed with alcohol abuse (N = 24, IQR 118.0-925.5) and 23 U/L in the remaining cohort (N = 138, IQR 14.0-61.0). The distribution of gamma GT values was statistically different (P < 0.001). Five year survival rates were determined for six categories of causes, ranging from 39.9 % (95 % CI 12.9-66.9) for renal anaemia to 76.2 % (95 % CI 49.4-103.0) for the category multiple causes.
Conclusion: In addition to classic explanations for macrocytosis, alternative causes are frequently encountered in patients with macrocytic anaemia in general practice.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4992202 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12875-016-0514-z | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome in a patient with subacute cutaneous lupus (SCLE).
BMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Rheumatology, University of Michigan Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
A man in his 60s suffered from refractory, biopsy-proven subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus that required chronic, moderate dose steroids to manage. His rash was accompanied by arthralgias and negative autoantibody testing. His subacute lupus erythematosus (SCLE) was responsive to tofacitinib, but thrombotic complications limited the use of this medication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMacrocytic anemia, kidney dysfunction, and mortality in general population: Japan specific health checkup study.
Sci Rep
December 2024
Steering Committee of Research on Design of the Comprehensive Health Care System for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Based on the Individual Risk Assessment by Specific Health Check, Fukushima, Japan.
Anemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD), which worsen bidirectionally, are associated with mortality in older adults. This study aimed to examine the association between CKD and the type of anemia and its impact on mortality in the general population. Data from a nationwide database of 203,280 individuals who participated in the annual "Specific Health Check and Guidance in Japan" evaluation between 2008 and 2011 were used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvans syndrome as a presentation in systemic lupus erythematous, coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and pernicious anemia: a case report.
J Med Case Rep
December 2024
Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine.
Background: Evans syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the simultaneous or sequential combination of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immunological thrombocytopenia, together with a positive direct antiglobulin test. This syndrome, which can be primary or secondary, is a rare initial manifestation of autoimmune diseases, notably systemic lupus erythematosus, with 1.7-2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Correlation of Red Cell Distribution Width With Peripheral Blood Smear: A Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar.
Cureus
November 2024
Department of Medicine, Medical Teaching Institute, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, PAK.
Objective: Anemia is a condition characterized by a shortage of red blood cells (RBCs) and hemoglobin (Hb). A peripheral blood smear (PBS) test involves examining a blood sample to identify important abnormalities in the red blood cells, white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. The aim of this study was to correlate the red cell distribution width (RDW) with peripheral blood smear findings in anemic patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFamilial RPL26 Variant Causing Congenital Anomalies Without Hematological Features of Diamond Blackfan Anemia.
Am J Med Genet A
December 2024
Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a heterogeneous clinical presentation which may include macrocytic anemia typically presenting in the first year of life, growth retardation, and congenital malformations in 30%-50% of patients. This phenotypic variability is partially explained by genotype-phenotype correlations, with several ribosomal protein genes implicated in this disorder. Most cases are due to de novo variants, but familial occurrences highlight variable expressivity and reduced penetrance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!