A CASE REPORT ON METHOTREXATE INDUCED PANCYTOPENIA

Raveena Rajesh* and Dr. Sofy Binu

ABSTRACT

Pancytopenia is a hematologic condition characterized by a decrease in all three peripheral blood cell lines. It is characterized by the hemoglobin of less than 12 g/dL in women and 13 g/dL in men, platelets of less than 150,000 per mcL, and leukocytes of less than 4000 per ml (or absolute neutrophil count of less than 1800 per ml). However these thresholds largely dependend on age, sex, race as well as varying clinical scenarios. The condition is not a disease in itself but a common pathway caused by a multitude of different etiologies that can be infectious, autoimmune, genetic, nutritional, and/or malignant. Multiple conditions can present with pancytopenia. Bone marrow disorders such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, acute leukemia, myelofibrosis, megaloblastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and Fanconi's anemia can present with pancytopenia. Methotrexate is a type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It’s used to reduce activity of the immune system for people who have certain conditions. The immune system normally protects the body from infections by causing inflammation to fight them. Inflammation can cause swelling, heat, redness and pain. Methotrexate can sometimes cause side effects, which may include, feeling sick, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, mouth ulcers, minor hair loss and hair thinning and rashes.

Keywords: Pancytopenia, Dmard, Methotrexate, Bone Marrow Disorders, MTX.