SIDEROBLASTIC ANAEMIA–A HITHERTO UNRCCGNIZED CAUSE OF UNEXPLAINED ANAEMIA

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the clinicopathological heterogeneity of sideroblastic anemia disorders characterized by the presence of ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at department of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital Kharian, from Apr 2014 to Oct 2016.

Material and Methods:

A total of ten patients diagnosed as having sideroblastic anemia (SA) on cytomorphological basis were included in the study. After clinical examination of the patients, blood samples were analyzed on Sysmex KX21 Haematology analyzer. Blood and bone marrow aspiration slides were stained with leishman’s stain to study red cell morphology and aspects of haematopoiesis. Assessment of iron stores was done using Perl’s staining technique. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS 16.0 version.

Results:

Age range of the SA patients varied from 14-65 years and male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Clinical features included weakness, malaise, easy fatigability, fever, bleeding complications, pallor, splenomegaly and syndrome specific features in 2 patients. MCV ranged from 66 fl to 94 fl. Dimorphic red cell morphology which is considered an important feature of SA was not observed in any patient. Other cytopenias were also noticed. Dysplasia was observed in 4 patients. One patient was confirmed as having secondary SA due to lead poisoning.

Conclusion:

Clinicopathological features of SA are variable and it is inappropriate to associate SA with any specific age group, gender, red cell indices or morphology. Prompt recognition of SA with its accurate categorization and specific treatment can avoid undue suffering of the patients as well as their relatives.