BACKGROUNDAlcohol abuse is one of the reasons for medical and surgical illness in developing and developed countries. Haematological complications related to alcohol are manifold including macrocytic anaemia. The early indicator of anaemia in alcoholic individuals can be detected by monitoring Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and observing peripheral smear for hypersegmented neutrophils. MATERIALS AND METHODSIn the present study, we analysed MCV and hypersegmented neutrophils in 100 alcoholics and compared it with 100 non-alcoholic individuals. RESULTSWe observed that MCV value was between 95 fL to 99 fL in 60 patients and 100 fL and above in 20 patients. Thus, MCV if observed in alcoholic individuals would warrant nutritional supplements, thereby secondary prevention of macrocytic anaemia would be made possible. Also, hypersegmented neutrophils were present in 67 alcoholic patients while only 11 control population had it in their peripheral smears. This suggests that peripheral smear analysis could be practised routinely in rural centres where higher end equipment is not available. Our results show a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the MCV values and hypersegmented neutrophils between the test and control groups. CONCLUSIONThus, in a low resource setting, analysis for hypersegmented neutrophils in alcoholics and observing MCV values in them would help us predict the onset of macrocytic anaemia at a much early stage and treat them with nutritional supplements.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phrynoderma is a form of follicular hyperkeratosis that is associated with nutritional deficiencies. It is endemic to poor population and constitutes significant cases in dermatological clinics in India. The present study is undertaken to find out the therapeutic response in Phrynoderma cases. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with Phrynoderma after clinical diagnosis, who consented for study were included. Patients were divided into three groups of 34, 33 and 33 each. Following treatment regimens were given for each group. R1: Oral Vitamin A 50,000 IU daily for 8 weeks R2: Oral Vitamin E 100 IU daily for 8 weeks R3: Safflower Oil 1 tsp TD w/ meal for 1 month RESULTS: In a total of 100 patients of Phrynoderma studied; incidence was found to be 0.45% of which males were 63% and females were 37%. The male to female ratio was 1.70:1. Therapeutic response was better in R1 (Oral Vitamin A) group compared to R2 (Oral Vitamin E) group. Amongst R2 and R3 (safflower Oil), R2 showed better response compared to R3.