Clinical and etiological profile of anemia in a clinical hematology department of North Africa : A cross-sectional study.

Anemia, a major public health concern impacting physical performance and morbidity, requires etiological assessment as iron deficiency anemia (IDA, 55.7%) may mask hematologic malignancies. This 2022 cross-sectional study at Monastir's Hematology Department included 296 patients (mean age 47 years, female predominance). Anemic syndrome prompted 68% of consultations, with fatigue/dizziness predominant. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) was 7.9 g/dL; severe anemia (Hb <8 g/dL) affected 49.7%. Isolated anemia prevailed (67.6%) over pancytopenia (11.4%). Leading etiologies were IDA (55.7%, mostly idiopathic), megaloblastic anemia (13%, mainly B12 deficiency), Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, 11%), multiple myeloma (MM, 5.7%), and acute leukemia (AL, 3.7%). Other causes included renal failure, hypothyroidism, and drug toxicity. The heterogeneous etiological profile underscores the need for systematic, comprehensive diagnostic approaches to identify both benign and malignant causes for optimal management.