Sickle cell disease is a hereditary, autosomal recessive condition caused by a point mutation in the beta-globin gene found on chromosome 11. This results in the absence of HbA and the production of HbS. 1:700 Africans have sickle cell disease.…
Haemolytic anaemia is caused by the destruction of red blood cells at an accelerated pace beyond the capacity of the bone marrow to compensate. Usually, a normocytic picture is present. Haemolytic anaemia Association Coombs Other tests Treatment Warm AIHA Autoimmune…
Microcytic anaemia is characterised by low haemoglobin and low mean corpuscular volume. Causes of microcytic anaemia Disorder MCV Iron TIBC Ferritin RDW Hepcidin Iron deficiency anaemia Very Low Low High Low Wide Normal Anemia of chronic disease Normal/Low Low Low…
Anaemia is defined as a decrease in red cell mass as evidenced by a haemoglobin concentration below the reference range for a given age or sex in a given population or geographic location. A haemoglobin concentration of <13g/dL in adult…
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a subacute or chronic infection of the upper female reproductive tract and/or peritoneum. The most common causative organisms are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but most cases are polymicrobial, involving anaerobes. Clinical criteria for diagnosis Additional criteria may include oral temperature >…
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) or Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive condition that commonly affects women of reproductive age. It is characterised by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. The Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis…
Fibroids are benign smooth muscle neoplasms arising from myometrial cells. They are oestrogen and progesterone–sensitive, with an average growth rate of 0.5 cm They peak between 40 and 50 years of age. Fibroid degeneration Type of Degeneration Description Hyaline degeneration (most common, ~60%)…
Endometrial cancer is an epithelial malignancy of the uterine corpus mucosa. 90% are adenocarcinomas. It is characterised by abnormal uterine bleeding, particularly post-menopausal bleeding. It peaks between 60 and 70 years. Types of endometrial cancer Type I Type II Unopposed estrogen Present Absent Estrogen…
Endometrial hyperplasia is the proliferation and thickening of the endometrium. It is usually considered in post-menopausal women with an endometrial stripe measuring > 5 mm thick with post-menopausal bleeding, and > 10 mmthick without. Normal endometrial thickness variations during the menstrual cycle Phase Endometrial…