Intro To Anemia Flashcards
What is the definition of anaemia?
A reduction in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, and/or red blood cell count beyond the lower limit of normal for age and sex
Anaemia can also be defined as a reduction in oxygen carrying capacity of blood, leading to tissue hypoxia.
List the classifications of anaemia.
- Pathophysiological/Aetiological classification
- Morphological classification
What are the physiological responses to anaemia?
- Increase in blood flow
- Increase in red cell mass
- Increase in oxygen unloading
What is the WHO definition of anaemia in adults?
Hb less than 130g/L in males and less than 120g/L in females
What are the types of anaemia based on aetiological classification?
- Aplastic anaemia
- Anaemia of chronic renal disease
- Anaemia of liver disease
- Anaemia in endocrine disorders
- Myelophthisic anaemia
Describe the signs and symptoms of anaemia.
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Palpitations
- Headaches
What is microcytic hypochromic anaemia?
Anaemia with MCV <80fl and MCH <27pg
Examples include iron deficiency anaemia, thalassemias, and anaemia of chronic diseases.
What are the clinical findings associated with anaemia?
- Pallor
- Tachycardia
- Bounding pulse
- Cardiomegaly
- Systolic flow murmur
What can cause excessive red cell destruction in anaemia?
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Immune haemolytic anaemia
- Drug-associated haemolysis
- Infections like malaria
What are the types of macrocytic anaemia?
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- Non-megaloblastic anaemia
What is the physiological adaptation to anaemia in the elderly?
The elderly tolerate anaemia less well than the young due to impaired cardiovascular compensation
Fill in the blank: Anaemia is characterized by _______ or qualitative red blood cell disorders.
quantitative
True or False: Anaemia of chronic disease is classified as a type of morphological anaemia.
False
What are the laboratory investigations used to diagnose anaemia?
- Full blood count
- Reticulocyte count
- Bone marrow aspiration
- Ancillary investigations
What is the role of erythropoietin in response to anaemia?
Produced by peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney in response to hypoxia
What is the normal range for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)?
80-100fl
What are some examples of normocytic normochromic anaemia?
- Acute blood loss
- Anaemia of renal failure
- Anaemia of chronic diseases
What condition is characterized by an increase in 2,3-DPG in red cells?
Anaemia, leading to a right shift in the O2 dissociation curve
What are the factors influencing physiological metabolic requirements in anaemia?
- Age
- Sex
- Geographical location
- Nutritional habits
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Pregnancy
What is the significance of reticulocytosis in anaemia?
It indicates a marrow response to anaemia
What is the classification of anaemia based on morphology/red cell indices?
- Microcytic hypochromic
- Normocytic normochromic
- Macrocytic
What are the examples of microcytic hypochromic anaemia?
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Thalassemia
- Sideroblastic anaemia
- Lead poisoning
What can cause anaemia due to blood loss?
- GI bleeding
- Uterine bleeding
- Parasitic infections
What are the clinical features of severe anaemia?
- Cardiac failure
- Angina pectoris
- Intermittent claudication
- Confusion
