The presence of anemia in patients with leg ulcer: laboratory test

This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The sample was composed of 64 participants with lower limb ulcers and evolution time greater than 12 weeks. Data was collected between May/2016 and December/2017 from hematological analyses, records from medical records, and wound assessment form.

Results:

36 (56.2%) were male; 38 (59.4%) between 60 and 80 years old; 56 (87.5%) with chronic diseases and 52 (81.2%) with venous ulcers. 6 years mean of active ulceration. Anemia was detected in 36 (56.2%), 27 (75%) of which were normochromic and normocytic; 14 (38.8%) had deficiency anemia recorded in their medical chart.

Conclusion:

The low hemoglobin concentration is recurrent among the participants characterizing an anemia condition, whose profile reveals congruence to the anemia of chronic disease.

Descriptors:
Anemia; Erythrocyte Indices; Lab Tests; Leg Ulcer; Nursing Assessment

	Hb (g/dL)	Ht (%)	Hm (10¹²/L)	MCV (fL)	MCH (pg)	MCHC (g/dL)
Adults	(±2dp)	(±2dp)	(±2dp)	(±2dp)	(±2dp)	(±2dp)
Women	14. 0 (12.0 – 16.0)	41 (36 - 46)	4.6 (4.0 – 5.2)	90 (80 – 100)	30 (26 – 34)	34 (31 – 37)
Men	15.5 (13.5 – 17.5)	47 (41 – 53)	5.2 (4.5 – 5.9)	90 (80 – 100)	30 (26 – 34)	34 (31 – 37)

Anemia	n	(%)
General	36	56.2
Normochromic and normocytic	27	75.0
Hypochromic and microcytic	8	22.2
Macrocytic	1	2.7

Parameters	Anemic patients^** a Oneway ANOVA statistic;				p value
Parameters	General	Normocytic and Normochromic	Microcytic and Hypochromic	Macrocytic^* ** Mean (±Standard Deviation);	p value
Red blood cells (x10⁶)	4.06 (±0.64)	3.99 (±0.55)	4.43 (±0.78)	3.25	>0.08^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	10.88 (±1.72)	11.24 (±1.39)	9.58 (±2.17)	11.4	0.017^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Hematocrit (%)	34.14 (±5.23)	34.97 (±4.50)	31.40 (±6.69)	33.5	<0.0001^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Reticulocytes (%)	1.12 (±0.66)	1.01 (±0.59)	1.39 (±0.81)	1.79	>0.08^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Mean Corpuscular Volume (fL)	84.44 (±9.14)	87.87 (±3.63)	70.56 (±7.53)	102.9	<0.0003^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (pg)	26.95 (±3.64)	28.28 (±1.43)	21.46 (±2.91)	35.1	<0.0003^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (g/dL)	31.83 (±1.25)	32.19 (±0.82)	30.33 (±1.19)	34.1	<0.004^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.
Platelets (x10³)	286.64 (±106.66)	279.78 (±60.76)	341.00 (±166.83)	37	>0.334^a a Oneway ANOVA statistic; ,^b b Unpaired T-test comparing general x microcytic and hypochromic groups; ,^c c Unpaired T-test comparing normocytic and normochromic x microcytic and hypochromic groups.

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E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br

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[1] Corresponding author: Joyce Beatriz de Abreu Castro E-mail: joycebeatrizcastro@hotmail.com