Clinicohematological Profile of Patients With Pancytopenia in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Western India

Abstract

Introduction: Pancytopenia is a hematological condition characterized by a reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is associated with a wide range of disorders, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to bone marrow disorders and hematological malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile, hematological findings, bone marrow morphology, and etiological spectrum of pancytopenia in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Western India.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 150 patients with pancytopenia evaluated over one year at a tertiary care hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat. Demographic details, clinical features, complete blood counts, peripheral blood smear findings, and bone marrow examination findings, wherever available, were analyzed.

Results: Among the 150 patients, 99 (66%) were males and 51 (34%) were females. Most patients were between 11 and 30 years of age. Pallor and weakness were the most common clinical features. Megaloblastic anemia was the leading cause of pancytopenia (44.7%), followed by alcoholic liver disease (13.3%) and hypersplenism (7.3%). Acute myeloid leukemia was the most common hematological malignancy. Macrocytic blood picture was the predominant peripheral smear finding, while hypercellular marrow was the most common bone marrow pattern.

Conclusion: Megaloblastic anemia remains the leading cause of pancytopenia in Western India, highlighting the continued burden of nutritional deficiencies. A systematic evaluation, including clinical assessment, peripheral blood smear examination, and bone marrow examination when indicated, is essential for establishing the diagnosis and guiding appropriate management.