Anaemia: A disease or symptom

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Anaemia is a frequent clinical diagnosis requiring accurate etiological assessment.
• Differentiating causes of anaemia is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize diagnostic criteria for various anaemia types.
• To highlight key differential diagnoses for microcytic and macrocytic anaemias.
• To guide clinicians on when to refer patients to a haematologist.

Main Methods:

• Review of current diagnostic guidelines and literature.
• Categorization of anaemias based on red blood cell indices (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic).
• Presentation of a diagnostic algorithm for macrocytic anaemia.

Main Results:

• Iron-deficient anaemia is the most common microcytic anaemia.
• Thalassaemia should be considered as a differential diagnosis for microcytic anaemia.
• Anaemia of chronic disease is a diagnosis of exclusion within normocytic anaemias.
• Reticulocyte count is a key parameter in differentiating macrocytic anaemias.

Conclusions:

• A systematic approach to anaemia diagnosis is essential.
• Awareness of specific conditions like thalassaemia improves diagnostic accuracy.
• Clear referral criteria aid timely specialist consultation for complex anaemia cases.