Macrocytosis as an indicator of human disease

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Macrocytosis, characterized by an elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV) > 100 fL, is a common finding in adult patients.
• The clinical significance of macrocytosis requires careful evaluation to exclude various pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic importance of an elevated MCV in adult patients.
• To identify the spectrum of diseases associated with macrocytosis after excluding specific confounding factors.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of adult patients with macrocytosis (MCV > 100 fL).
• Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, postpartum status, and use of medications known to induce macrocytosis.
• Analysis of diagnoses in the identified patient cohort.

Main Results:

• Eighty patients were studied after exclusions.
• Sixty-seven diagnoses were established in 56 patients.
• The most frequent diagnoses included alcoholism, hematological disorders, habitual drinking, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic liver disease, folic acid deficiency, hypothyroidism, anorexia nervosa, and reticulocytosis.

Conclusions:

• An elevated MCV is not specific to any single disease but serves as a crucial indicator of potential underlying pathology.
• Investigation of macrocytosis is warranted to diagnose conditions such as alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, and liver disease.