CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ANEMIA IN A TERTIARY CARE RURAL HOSPITAL OF WESTERN MAHARASHTRA

Background: Anemia is defined as reduction of the total red cell mass below normal limits. Anemia is usually diagnosed based on a reduction in the haematocrit (the ratio of packed red cells to the blood volume) and the hemoglobin concentration of the blood to levels that are below the normal range. Dermal loss of iron is also suggested as one of the possible contributing factors in the genesis of iron deficiency Anemia in the tropics. In view of the geographical location of western Maharashtra which too has climate similar to tropical parts it was thought prudent to evaluate the clinical profile of anemia in the rural patients presenting with the manifestations of anemia. Objectives: To study Clinical profile, nail changes and type of anemia on Peripheral blood picture of patients presenting with Anemia in a tertiary care rural hospital of Western Maharashtra. Methodology: Total 200 Patients diagnosed to be cases of anemia in a tertiary care rural hospital of Western Maharashtra were enrolled for the study during the study period. All the patients satisfying the above inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied for Clinical profile, nail changes and type of anemia on Peripheral blood picture. Results: In this study out of 200 cases the maximum no of cases seen in >40 yrs were 128(64%). The most frequent symptom was easy fatigability which was present in 190(80%) of patients followed by breathlessness in 132(76%) and the signs noted were Pallor in 188(94%), Venous hum in 88(44%), Pedal edema in 80(40%), signs of Heart failure in 80(40%). The most common type of anemia seen of Peripheral blood smear was Microcytic hypochromic in 84(42%) followed by Dimorphic in 54(27%). The proportion of Platonychia is highly significant than Koilonychias in all types of anemia. Conclusion: The clinical profile of anemia studied in the patients coming to the tertiary care hospital in rural western revealed similar pattern of presentation with other studies with easy fatigability and breathlessness as most common symptoms and pallor as most common sign . The Peripheral blood smears revealed Microcytic hypochromic anemia in 44% patient as most common morphological anemia with Platonychia as most common nail changes in all types of morphological anemia. Keywords: Anemia, Clinical profile, Peripheral Blood Smear , Microcytic Hypochromic, Koilonychias, Platonychi