Pancytopenia in two national ethnic groups of baluchista

Background: Pancytopenia is a recognisable haematological problem with common categorises diagnosis but best possible diagnostic approach is still to be defined. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequent causes and clinical presentation of pancytopenia in relation to age and sex in different ethnic groups of two national [Pakistani and Afghan] living in Baluchistan province. Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive type of study was carried out on patients [n=180] for two years [July 2009–June 2011]. Cases were successively registered in 2 provincial government hospital and 2 private clinics in Quetta with diagnosis of pancytopenia. Results: The most frequent causes of pancytopenia in both national ethnic groups were malaria [29.44%] fallowed by tuberculosis [17.22%], leukaemia [16.67%], aplastic anaemia [13.33%], hepatitis [12.22%], other diseases [7.22%] and iron deficiency anaemia [3.89%]. Overall, 63.89% male subjects were observed pancytopenia as compared to 36.11% female patients. The results also showed that patients with age >41 years were highly [50%] affected by pancytopenia followed by 21–40 years [30.66%] and <20 years [19.44%]. Moreover, leukaemia cases were observed significantly higher in Afghan subjects [>41 years]. The most common symptom of patients was [71.11%] fever followed by Pallor [42.22%], fatigue [38.33%], weight loss [26.11%] and dizziness [25.56%]. Leukaemia and aplastic anaemia were found to be the most serious causes of pancytopenia in Afghan ethnic group. Conclusions: Malaria, tuberculosis, aplastic anaemia, and leukaemia were the leading causes of pancytopenia in Pakistani and Afghan ethnic groups. Severe pancytopenia has significant relation with the clinical conclusion and can be used as a prognostic marker