The impact of preoperative anaemia and anaemic subtype on patient outcome in colorectal cancer.

AIM: Preoperative anaemia is associated with adverse outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). To clarify the reason for this we aimed to comprehensively assess the association of preoperative anaemia with tumour characteristics, host systemic inflammation and nutrition status, and perioperative blood transfusion. METHOD: We used an integrated database of 592 CRC patients. The association of preoperative anaemic subtype, calculated from haemoglobin and erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume levels, with patient outcome, preoperative serum data relating to systemic inflammation and nutrition and perioperative blood transfusion was analysed. RESULTS: Preoperative anaemia was significantly associated with poorer overall survival and relapse-free survival (RFS); in particular microcytic anaemia had a trend to poorer RFS than other forms of anaemia (P = 0.0648). In addition, preoperative anaemia was significantly correlated with right-sided tumours, greater depth of tumour invasion, use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, poorer prognostic nutritional index and higher modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). Microcytic anaemia in particular had a strong association with a greater depth of tumour invasion (P = 0.0072) and higher mGPS (P = 0.0058) than other causes of anaemia. Perioperative blood transfusion for CRC patients with anaemia was associated with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anaemia, especially microcytic anaemia, was associated with poor patient outcomes, possibly due to poor systemic inflammatory and nutritional status, and it was not improved by perioperative blood transfusion. Our data suggest that preoperative anaemia and the anaemic subtype may serve as an easily available predictor of outcome in CRC.

Anemia and hematinic deficiencies in anti-gastric parietal cell antibody-positive or all autoantibodies-negative recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Approximately 13% of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients have serum anti-gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity. This study assessed whether serum GPCA or RAS itself was a significant factor causing hematinic deficiencies and anemia statuses in GPCA-positive RAS (GPCA+/RAS) and all autoantibodies-negative RAS (Abs-/RAS) patients. METHODS: The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean blood hemoglobin (Hb), iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels were measured and compared between any two of three groups of 31 GPCA+/RAS patients, 240 Abs-/RAS patients, and 342 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: GPCA+/RAS patients had significantly lower mean Hb and serum iron level (for women only) as well as significantly greater frequencies of Hb, iron, and vitamin B12 deficiencies than healthy control subjects. Moreover, GPCA+/RAS patients had a significantly higher MCV and a significantly greater frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency than Abs-/RAS patients. Furthermore, Abs-/RAS patients did have significantly lower mean Hb, MCV, iron, and folic acid levels and significantly greater frequencies of Hb, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies than healthy control subjects. Of 31 GPCA+/RAS patients, 3 (9.7%) had PA, 6 (19.4%) had vitamin B12 deficiency, and 3 (9.7%) had macrocytosis. Moreover, normocytic anemia (54.0%) and iron deficiency anemia (26.4%) are the two more common types of anemia in our RAS patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that serum GPCA plays a significant role in causing vitamin B12 deficiency and high MCV in GPCA+/RAS patients. RAS itself does play a significant role in causing anemia and hematinic deficiencies in both GPCA+/RAS and Abs-/RAS patients.

Prevalence of potential underlying aetiology of macrocytic anaemia in Dutch general practice.

BACKGROUND: Macrocytic anaemia (MCV ≥ 100 fL) is a relatively common finding in general practice. However, literature on the prevalence of the different causes in this population is limited. The prevalence of macrocytic anaemia and its underlying aetiology were analysed in a general practice population. The potential effect of the different aetiology on survival was also evaluated. METHODS: Between the 1st of February 2007 and the 1st of February 2015, patients aged 50 years or older and presenting to their general practitioner with a newly diagnosed anaemia, were included in the study. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin level below 13.7 g/dL in men and below 12.1 g/dL in women. A broad range of laboratory tests was performed for each patient. The causes of anaemia were consequently determined by two independent observers based on the laboratory results. RESULTS: Of the 3324 included patients, 249 (7.5 %) displayed a macrocytic anaemia and were subsequently analysed. An underlying explanation could be established in 204 patients (81.9 %) with 27 patients (13.2 %) displaying multiple causes. Classic aetiology (i.e. alcohol abuse, vitamin B12/folic acid deficiency, haemolysis and possible bone marrow disease) was found in 115 patients. Alternative causes (i.e. anaemia of chronic disease, iron deficiency, renal anaemia and other causes) were encountered in 101 patients. In addition, a notable finding was the median gamma GT of 277 U/L in patients diagnosed with alcohol abuse (N = 24, IQR 118.0-925.5) and 23 U/L in the remaining cohort (N = 138, IQR 14.0-61.0). The distribution of gamma GT values was statistically different (P < 0.001). Five year survival rates were determined for six categories of causes, ranging from 39.9 % (95 % CI 12.9-66.9) for renal anaemia to 76.2 % (95 % CI 49.4-103.0) for the category multiple causes. CONCLUSION: In addition to classic explanations for macrocytosis, alternative causes are frequently encountered in patients with macrocytic anaemia in general practice.

Prevalence and incidence of anemia in the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study.

This study aims to determine prevalence and incidence of anemia in the general population in Germany and evaluate a potential role of serum-free light chains (FLC) as biomarker in anemia. The population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study comprises 4,814 men and women aged 45-75 years. Hemoglobin <13 g/dl in men and <12 g/dl in women defined anemia. Laboratory data was used to classify cases into renal, iron deficiency (IDA), vitamin B12/folic acid deficiency, anemia of chronic disease (ACD), and unexplained anemia (UA). Follow-up data was available from annual questionnaires, death certificates, and 5-year follow-up visit (5-year FU). Anemia cases (152) were identified (prevalence 3.2 %, 95 % CI 2.7-3.7). In participants aged 65 or older, prevalence was 4.3 % (95 % CI 2.9-6.0) in both men and women. Main anemia subtypes were: IDA 19 %, ACD 25 %, and UA 44 %. Incidence increased with age and was 12.8/1,000 person-years and 10.9/1,000 person-years in men and women aged 65 or older, respectively. UA was characterized by elevated FLC. Participants with elevated FLC and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) had an increased risk of anemia at 5-year FU. FLC-alone or in combination with hsCRP-may serve as biomarker indicating an increased risk of developing anemia.

[Hyperhomocysteinemia and leg ulcers: A prospective study of 68 patients]. / Hyperhomocystéinémie et ulcères de jambes : étude prospective de 68 observations.

BACKGROUND: Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid derived from methionine. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is now recognised as an independent risk factor for occlusive arterial disease and thrombotic venous disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with leg ulcers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively investigated hospitalised patients for vascular leg ulcers between March 2008 and June 2009 at two dermatology centres. We collected details of cardiovascular disease and determined nutritional status by means of the MNA score. Fasting blood samples were taken and analyzed for homocysteine, albumin, prealbumin, folic acid, vitamin B12, creatinine and a complete blood count. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were enrolled in the study: 48 women and 20 men. Fifty-three percent of patients had venous leg ulcers, 18% had arterial leg ulcers and 20% had leg ulcers of mixed origin. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 56%, with no differences according to ulcer type or gender. DISCUSSION: While the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in our population of leg ulcer patients was high, this descriptive study does not allow us to establish any causal link between hyperhomocysteinemia and leg ulcers. Moreover, since the literature indicates that homocysteine-lowering therapy does not reduce cardiovascular and thromboembolic risk, there appears to be little call for further trials on hyperhomocysteinaemia and leg ulcers.

Distribution of hemoglobin levels and prevalence of anemia according to sex, age group, and region in 13 Korean cities.

INTRODUCTION: The distribution of hemoglobin (Hb) levels and the prevalence of anemia are significant public health indicators. The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of Hb levels and the prevalence of anemia according to sex, age group, and region throughout Korea. METHODS: The study analyzed data on 1 159 298 subjects who received health checkups at 16 health-promotion centers in 13 Korean cities during 2018. Anemia and its severity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification for Hb levels as follows: mild anemia (11-12.9 g/dL in males and 11-11.9 g/dL in females), moderate anemia (10-10.9 g/dL in both sexes), and severe anemia (<10.0 g/dL in both sexes). RESULTS: The Hb level in the general sample was lower in females (13.25 ± 1.13 g/dL, mean ± SD) than in males (15.29 ± 1.22 g/dL). The overall prevalence of anemia was 6.0% (2.98% in males and 8.56% in females), and the prevalence of severe anemia was 0.92% (0.23% in males and 1.51% in females). While the prevalence of anemia increased monotonically with age in males, it was bimodal in females with two peaks at 40-49 years and ≥80 years. The highest prevalence of anemia in females aged 40-49 years was attributed to microcytic anemia, while increases in anemia prevalence in males aged ≥50 years and females aged ≥70 years were attributed to macrocytic anemia. CONCLUSION: The distribution of Hb levels and the prevalence of anemia overall and by severity differ according to sex, age group, and region throughout Korea.

Etiological spectrum of anemia in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease: A single-center study from India.

A retrospective study was conducted over seven years and it aimed to find out various causes of anemia among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study included nondialysis-dependent adult CKD patients who underwent anemia evaluation. A total of 584 patients were studied. Three hundred and twenty-one (55%) patients were male and 263 (45%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 55.5 ± 14 years. One hundred and seventy-eight (30.5%) had a diabetic CKD and 406 (69.5%) had a nondiabetic CKD. Seventy-two (12.3%) patients were in CKD Stage 3, 193 (33%) patients in CKD Stage 4, and 319 (54.6%) patients in CKD Stage 5. The mean hemoglobin was 9.2 ± 2.2 g/dL. There was a progressive fall in hemoglobin with increasing severity of CKD and in CKD Stage 3, 4, and 5 the mean hemoglobin was 10 ± 2.2, 9.4 ± 2.1, and 8.4 ± 1.9 g/dL, respectively (P = 0.001). Most (47.4%) patients had moderate anemia followed by anemia of mild (31.4%) and severe (21.4%) degrees. Three hundred and seven (52.6%) patients had percent transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20% (functional iron deficiency). One hundred and sixty-two (27.7%) patients had serum ferritin <100 ng/mL (absolute iron deficiency); 334 (57.2%) patients had serum ferritin 100-500 ng/mL, but in 175 (52.4%) of them, TSAT was <20%; 88 (15.1%) patients had serum ferritin >500 ng/mL (58 (65.6%) were C-reactive protein (CRP) + and 55 (62.5%) had TSAT <20%). Overall, 392 (67.1%) patients had functional or absolute iron deficiency. One-third of the patients had elevated CRP levels. The anemia was macrocytic in 20.4% suggesting deficiency of folic acid and/or Vitamin B12. A high proportion (74.6%) of patients with normocytic anemia had iron deficiency. In the majority of nondialysis-dependent CKD patients, the etiology of anemia may be multifactorial; therefore, the treatment should be determined by documented causes of anemia.

Anaemia and Its Relation to Demographic, Socio-economic and Anthropometric Factors in Rural Primary School Children in Hai Phong City, Vietnam.

Little is known about the prevalence of anaemia and associated factors in school children in Vietnam. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and its subtypes, and the associations of types of anaemia with demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric factors among 6-9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured, and demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric data were collected in 893 children from eight primary schools. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L) was 12.9% (95% CI: 8.1%, 19.9%), microcytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV < 80 fL) was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.3%, 11.6%) and normocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV 80-90 fL) was 5.3% (95% CI: 2.9%, 9.5%). No child presented with macrocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV > 90 fL). Children who were underweight, wasted, or in anthropometric failure (either underweight, stunted or wasted) were more likely to be anaemic (all p ≤ 0.004), and specifically, to have normocytic anaemia (all p ≤ 0.006), than those who were not underweight, wasted or in anthropometric failure. Stunted children were more likely to be anaemic (p = 0.018) than those who were not stunted. Overweight/obese children were less likely to be anaemic (p = 0.026) or have normocytic anaemia (p = 0.038) compared with children who were not overweight/obese. No anthropometric status indicator was associated with the risk of microcytic anaemia. No demographic or socio-economic factor was associated with any type of anaemia. Anaemia remains a public health issue in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam, and future approaches for its prevention and control should target undernourished primary school children.

Proportion of individuals with low serum vitamin B-12 concentrations without macrocytosis is higher in the post folic acid fortification period than in the pre folic acid fortification period.

BACKGROUND: Large intakes of folic acid may delay the diagnosis of vitamin B-12 deficiency, which could lead to irreversible neuropathy. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the proportion of individuals with low serum vitamin B-12 without macrocytosis (undiagnosed vitamin B-12 deficiency) has increased in the post-folic acid fortification period. DESIGN: Individuals aged >or=19 y with low serum vitamin B-12 (<258 pmol/L) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) measured between 1995 and 2004 were identified from medical records. The proportion and odds ratios of individuals with low serum vitamin B-12 without macrocytosis by sex, race, and age according to prefortification (n = 86), perifortification (n = 138), and postfortification (n = 409) periods were determined. RESULTS: MCV was significantly lower in the postfortification period (88.6 fL) than in the prefortification (94.4 fL; P < 0.001) and perifortification (90.6 fL; P = 0.007) periods. The proportion of subjects with low serum vitamin B-12 without macrocytosis was significantly higher in the postfortification (approximately 87%) and perifortification (approximately 85%) periods than in the prefortification period (approximately 70%; P < 0.001). In a sex-, race-, and age-adjusted analysis, the odds ratio for having low serum vitamin B-12 without macrocytosis was 3.0 (95% CI: 1.7, 5.2) in the postfortification period relative to the prefortification period. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with low serum vitamin B-12 were likely to be without macrocytosis in the postfortification period. MCV should not be used as a marker for vitamin B-12 insufficiency. It is possible that folic acid fortification may have led to a correction of macrocytosis associated with vitamin B-12 insufficiency.

Folate and vitamin B-12 status in relation to anemia, macrocytosis, and cognitive impairment in older Americans in the age of folic acid fortification.

BACKGROUND: Historic reports on the treatment of pernicious anemia with folic acid suggest that high-level folic acid fortification delays the diagnosis of or exacerbates the effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency, which affects many seniors. This idea is controversial, however, because observational data are few and inconclusive. Furthermore, experimental investigation is unethical. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relations between serum folate and vitamin B-12 status relative to anemia, macrocytosis, and cognitive impairment (ie, Digit Symbol-Coding score < 34) in senior participants in the 1999-2002 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. DESIGN: The subjects had normal serum creatinine concentrations and reported no history of stroke, alcoholism, recent anemia therapy, or diseases of the liver, thyroid, or coronary arteries (n = 1459). We defined low vitamin B-12 status as a serum vitamin B-12 concentration < 148 pmol/L or a serum methylmalonic acid concentration > 210 nmol/L-the maximum of the reference range for serum vitamin B-12-replete participants with normal creatinine. RESULTS: After control for demographic characteristics, cancer, smoking, alcohol intake, serum ferritin, and serum creatinine, low versus normal vitamin B-12 status was associated with anemia [odds ratio (OR): 2.7; 95% CI: 1.7, 4.2], macrocytosis (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.3), and cognitive impairment (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.6, 3.8). In the group with a low vitamin B-12 status, serum folate > 59 nmol/L (80th percentile), as opposed to < or = 59 nmol/L, was associated with anemia (OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.5, 6.6) and cognitive impairment (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.1). In the normal vitamin B-12 group, ORs relating high versus normal serum folate to these outcomes were < 1.0 (P(interaction) < 0.05), but significantly < 1.0 only for cognitive impairment (0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.9). CONCLUSION: In seniors with low vitamin B-12 status, high serum folate was associated with anemia and cognitive impairment. When vitamin B-12 status was normal, however, high serum folate was associated with protection against cognitive impairment.

Macrocytosis--an Australian general practice perspective.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians' approaches to identifying and investigating red blood cell macrocytosis are variable. There is little literature on the Australian primary care approach. METHODS: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in blood counts from an urban Australian general practice were calculated and general practitioners in the surrounding division were surveyed on their experience of and approach to investigating macrocytosis. RESULTS: Mean corpuscular volume above 100 fL was found in 1.7% of patients, and 7.3% had an MCV above 96 fL. Ninety-four percent of responding GPs replied they would further investigate this clinical finding, particularly at levels above 100 fL. Alcohol excess and vitamin B12 deficiency were the most common single causes of macrocytosis in their experience. DISCUSSION: Macrocytosis can be a marker for disease and it is important to identify and investigate its presence. Further research is needed to clarify the reference range for healthy adults in general practice and to formulate evidence based clinical guidelines for investigating isolated macrocytosis.

Prevalence of anaemia among Quranic school (Khalawi) students (Heiran)in Wad El Magboul village, rural Rufaa, Gezira State, Central Sudan: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This is a cross sectional descriptive community-based study. The aim was to assess the prevalence of anaemia among quranic schoolchildren in khalawi Wad EL Magboul village, rural Rufaa, Gezira State, central Sudan. METHODS: A sample of 180 male participants were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained. Venous blood samples were obtained to measure the hematological parameters and blood films for malaria parasites. Urine and stool analyses were also done. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 12.31 years (SD +/- 2.26). The mean Hb value was 11.75g/dl and it was statistically significant correlation when compared with the mean Hb reference value (13.5g/dl) P value 0,000 (95% CI). Regarding period of stay in the khalwa up to the time of the study, 88 (49.28%) for one year, 54 (30.24%) for 2 years, 22 (12.32%) for 3 years and 16 (8.96%) for more than 3 years. About 77 students (42.78%) were pale on clinical examination. The Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) mean value was 25.58 pg ( 3.55). Many conditions known to be associated with anemia were found; 49 students (27.2%) had a positive blood films for falciparum malaria, 14 students (7.8%) were found to have haematuria and ova of S. haematobium, In169 students (93.4%) stool examination was negative , while 11 students (6.6%) had intestinal worms (Enterobius vermicularis). CONCLUSION: Majority of the study participants had iron deficiency anaemia, followed by haemolytic, macrocytic and sickle cell anaemia. This might have negative health and educational implications.

Macrocytic anemia during low-dose cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil through implanted infusion port for unresectable hepatobilliary malignancies.

UNLABELLED: The efficacy of continuous arterial infusion chemotherapy through a subcutaneously implanted port has been reported with less adverse effects than systemic chemotherapy in hepatobilliary malignancies. However, macrocytic anemia is sometimes seen during this therapy. In 25 patients (22 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 with cholangiocellular carcinoma) treated with cisplatinum (10mg/day) and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) (250 mg/day), the frequency of anemia and its etiologies were evaluated. Moreover, the two groups ("anemia" and "no anemia" group) were compared with their backgrounds. Nine cases (36%) showed macrocytic anemia without any evident etiologies during therapy. The cumulative appearance rate of anemia was 19% at 12 weeks and 51% at 18 weeks. The Child-Pugh score or Japanese integrated staging (JIS) score were significantly higher in the "anemia" group than that in the "no anemia" group. CONCLUSION: Attention should be paid to slow progressive macrocytic anemia during low-dose cisplatinum and 5-FU, especially in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

Prevalence and type of anaemia in young Egyptian patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Over a 2-month period, 200 type 1 diabetic patients attending a paediatric diabetic clinic in Cairo, Egypt were screened for anaemia and other complications of diabetes. The mean age was 11.2 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 4.0 years. Anaemia was diagnosed in 75 patients (37.5%) overall: 45 had microcytic hypochromic anaemia, 18 normocytic normochromic and 12 macrocytic hyperchromic. Of the 75, 41 patients (54.7%) had iron deficiency, 14 (18.7%) had folate deficiency and 14 (18.7%) had thalassaemia minor. Three patients (4%) had coeliac disease, and 18 patients (24%) had parasitic infections. None of the patients had hypothyroidism, renal failure or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Prior cytopenia predicts worse clinical outcome in acute myeloid leukemia.

The prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is influenced by both disease-intrinsic and patient-related factors. In particular, AML following myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (AML with myelodysplasia-related changes, AML-MRC) has a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that patients with cytopenias prior to AML, but no known prior MDS, may share biologic features with AML-MRC. We evaluated 140 AML patients without prior MDS who had complete blood count (CBC) data available 6-36 months prior to their diagnosis. Cytopenia, defined as clinically unexplained thrombocytopenia or macrocytic anemia, was present in 29/140 (21%) patients. Compared to non-cytopenic patients, AML patients with prior cytopenia were older and more often met morphologic or cytogenetic criteria for AML-MRC. Prior cytopenia was associated with shorter survival in patients with intermediate-risk cytogenetics (median OS 4.2 versus 24.1 months, p<0.0001), but not in patients with adverse-risk cytogenetics (median OS 4.4 versus 6.0 months, p=0.57). Prior thrombocytopenia, but not macrocytic anemia, was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (p=0.01) independent of treatment approach, karyotype risk, and age on multivariable analysis. Our data suggest that AML patients with prior cytopenias have features similar to AML-MRC, and in particular support the use of prior unexplained thrombocytopenia as an independent marker of high-risk disease.

The changing pattern of megaloblastic anemia: megaloblastic anemia in Israel.

The causes of megaloblastic anemia were studied in a survey of patients admitted to six Israeli hospitals over a period of 15 yr. Among the 203 patients identified, 69% had pernicious anemia, 12% had gastrointestinal disease, 9% had primary nutritional deficiency of whom only 1% were associated with pregnancy, and 7% had selective vitamin B12 malabsorption with albuminuria. Comparison with previously published surveys showed, that in contrast with earlier studies where primary nutritional deficiency was the cause of megaloblastic anemia in about 70% of cases and pernicious anemia in only 20%, in more recent studies the proportion of cases with primary nutritional anemia in general and those associated with pregnancy in particular was much lower. This is most probably the result of improved standards of living and a national program of preventive folate supplementation at maternity clinics. A potential hazard of such preventive programs is the aggravation of neurological complications in patients with undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency. Early recognition of pernicious anemia and other forms of selective B12 malabsorption is a new challenge created by the changing pattern of megaloblastic anemias.

Vitamin B12 deficiency--need for a new guideline.

OBJECTIVES: Many patients with vitamin B12 deficiency do not have anemia or macrocytosis, but the prevalence of B12 deficiency in patients without macrocytosis is not known. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of B12 deficiency among patients with normocytosis and microcytosis and recommended a screening strategy. All patients (n = 3714) with serum B12 measured at the Prince of Wales Hospital in 1996 were reviewed. The prevalence of serum B12 less than 140 pmol/L was determined for the following patient subgroups: younger than 70 y, older than 70 y, anemic, non-anemic, macrocytic, normocytic, microcytic, documented iron deficiency, and documented thalassemia. RESULTS: The prevalence of B12 deficiency (<140 pmol/L) ranged from 4.8% to 9.8% among the different subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Whatever screening criteria were used, a significant number of B12-deficient patients will be missed. Therefore, there may be a case for universal vitamin B12 screening.

Evaluation of macrocytosis by general practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: Macrocytosis is considered to be an important sign of disease, although it often seems to be ignored. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of the work done by general practitioners using macrocytosis as an indicator. METHODS: All consecutive outpatients at Tampere City Health Center who had blood counts taken during 8 months in 1990 and were found to have macrocytosis (MCV > or = 100 femtoliters) that had not earlier been examined, were included in this study. The further examinations undertaken were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 9,527 blood counts, previously unexamined macrocytosis was found in 3% (n = 287, 154 men and 133 women). Further examination because of macrocytosis was undertaken in 65 (42%) men and in 48 (36%) women. Alcohol abuse was the most common disease present in 52 (80%) men and in 22 (46%) women. No cause for macrocytosis was found in seven men and in 17 women. No difference between the examined and unexamined groups was found concerning medical history, medications, symptoms, or blood count values, including hemoglobin and MCV. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of macrocytosis, when undertaken, was well done by general practitioners. However, it was performed too seldom and, thus, several diseases, especially alcohol abuse, may have been overlooked.