CLINICAL & HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ANEMIA AMONG MALE PATIENTS: A SNAPSHOT STUDY FROM TERTIARY CARE CENTRE OF WESTERN INDIA

Background: In India, the prevalence is 47-50% for all ages while as per NFHS-4, the prevalence of anemia among men 15-49 year age (<13gm/dl) is 18.5% for urban & 25.3% for rural areas. Most of the programs are directed at the Reproductive & Adolescent age group & mainly for females & children. The above data shows 1 in 4 men suffers from anemia & may face complications & consequences.

Objective: Thus the present study is aimed to assess the Clinical & Hematological profiles of Male anemic patients admitted to Medical wards.

Methodology:100 Male patients admitted to the medical ward for anemia at tertiary care hospital affiliated with the medical college, during the study period, who met inclusion criteria and who were willing to participate in this study were subjected to further evaluation. Along with clinical data, demographic information was also obtained.

Results: Severe Anemia was present in 70% of males. Moderate anemia was seen in 30% of males with a Mean age of 43 years. Hence in male patients, anemia should be screened vigilantly so that we can treat it and avoid complications. Nutritional deficiency is the most common etiology found. All patients had pallor. The most common symptom observed were weakness (85%) followed by easy fatigability (82%)and breathlessness on exertion (47%). In peripheral smear examination, 50% of males were having microcytic hypochromic anemia. The most common type of anemia was Iron deficiency anemia observed in 50% of patients. In male anemic patients, a thorough evaluation of the type of anemia will make etiology-specific treatment more effective.