Abstract

BRITES, Luísa et al. Hemolytic Anemia in an Internal Medicine Service: Population Characterization. Medicina Interna [online]. 2018, vol.25, n.2, pp.91-94. ISSN 0872-671X.  https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi/original/223/2/2018.

Background: Hemolytic anemia represents 5% of all anemias and is characterized by a reduction in the survival time of Red Blood Cells (RBC). The destruction of RBC may result from intravascular or extravascular hemolytic phenomena. The last one is most often associated with autoimmune phenomena, chemical/drug toxicity, infections, hypersplenism and mechanical destruction. The objective of the study was to describe the demographic characteristics, main causes and clinical characteristics of patients with extrinsic hemolytic anemia. Methods: A retrospective study between January 2010 and December 2014 of patients with HA who were hospitalized in an Internal Medicine Service of a Central Hospital. Hemolytic markers were evaluated. Results: A total of 22 patients with a mean age of 67.6 (± 17.9 years) were included; 54,5% were male. About 81.8% had a positive direct antiglobulin test and the rest a negative one. Between patients with auto-immune hemolytic anemia, 61.1% were associated with infections. At the time of diagnosis, the average value of Hb was 7.5 g/dL, requiring on average, 9.8 days reaching values above 9 g/dL. For the treatment, 36.4% of patients did corticotherapy, 22.7% corticotherapy in association with transfusion of red blood cells and 13.6% only transfusion, beyond the treatment of the underlying cause. The mortality rate was 9%. Conclusion: Hemolytic anemia. can result from many causes and the majority result from infectious processes. The identification of the underlying cause of hemolysis is extremely important for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. There is a low mortality rate and the prognosis depends on the underlying cause but the risk increases in elderly patients.

Keywords : Anemia; Hemolytic; Hemolysis; Hospital Departments; Internal Medicine; Portugal.

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