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43 YEAR OLD FEMALE WITH PEDAL EDEMA, GENERALISED WEAKNESS

 This is an online E-log entry blog to discuss and understand the clinical data analysis of a patient, to develop competency in comprehending clinical problems, and providing evidence- based inputs in order to come up with a diagnosis and effective treatment plan to the best of my ability.


Mentioned here are my learning points, both theoretical and practical surrounding this patient:

-This patient's history was the first history I took during my Medicine postings in internship. My PG taught me how to take an extensive psychosocial history, and how to take nutritional history- which is relevant to this patient with anemia. Taking a proper psychosocial history allowed me to develop a better understanding of what the patient's knowledge on the topic was, and what exactly were the issues around her disease that burdened her.

-I learnt the basics of 2D ECHO, how to identify the chambers of the heart and how to approximate ejection fraction. I've attached the 2D ECHO video at the end of the blog.

-In this patient, as heart failure was being suspected due to mild raised JVP, an interesting discussion ensued, of whether or not to start a blood transfusion- since she had symptoms of heart failure and a transfusion would further exacerbate it by increasing preload. I learnt how to navigate such dilemmas to optimize patient care.



A 43 year old female, who is a resident of Narketpally came to the OPD with chief complaints of :

   -Swelling in bilateral lower limbs upto ankle since 15 days 

   -Generalised weakness since 1 week 


HISTORY OF PRESENTING ILLNESS: 

The patient was apparently asymptomatic 4 years ago, when she has symptoms of generalised weakness. Hence, she visited her local doctor. Blood investigations were sent at the time, and a hemoglobin of 6gm/dl was noted. She could not recollect the other investigations sent, and did not have the reports with her. For her low hemoglobin levels, she was advised iron and folic acid supplements, which she took for a month and stopped. 

15 days ago, she noticed swelling in both her lower limbs until her ankle, which was insidious in onset , gradually progressive in nature, pitting type. The swelling was not associated with any aggravating and relieving factors.

She had a history of shortness of breath since 1 week, which was intermittent and non progressive. She had difficulty breathing while walking u the stairs, or while brisk walking- grade II NYHA classification

These symptoms were not associated with any facial puffiness, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

She also noted generalised weakness since 1 week 

She noted no history of decreased urine output, burning micturition

She had no history of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, itching, erythma

She had no history of vomiting, loose stools or constipation, fever


PAST HISTORY: 

In 2004, she started having back pain and itching in her vaginal area, for which she consulted a gynaecologist. She was diagnosed with a growth (?polyp) in her uterus and was given medication for it, which she used for two months. The patient could not recall the medication that she used.

She had no other symptoms till 2019, which was when she first noticed intermenstrual bleeding, which occurred for 2 months. Again she visited the gynaecologist and was given medication for it, after which it decreased.


MENSTRUAL HISTORY: 

Menarche attained at 13 years 

28/5 - regular 

Increased menstrual bleeding on 1st 2-3 days since 3 months

 Uses 5 pads per day

Not associated with pain, clots.


PERSONAL HISTORY: 

Diet - mixed  

Breakfast - Idly /dosa with chutney /chapathi with curry 

Lunch - 1 cup rice with vegetable curry

Dinner - 1 cup rice with vegetable curry

Consumes meat twice or thrice a month . 

Sleep - Adequate 

Appetite - normal 

Bowel and bladder - regular

No addictions

No allergies  


MARITAL, OBSTETRIC HISTORY

She studied till the 10th grade, after which she was married off at the age of 15 years. She has two younger brothers. 

In 1995, she gave birth to her 1st child who died after 3 days.

In 1997, she gave birth to a girl who died at the age of 6.

Later with spacing of 3 years she gave birth to her 3rd child, who is in college.

In 2002 , she gave birth to her 4th child

In 2004, she gave birth to her 5th child


DAILY ROUTINE : 

Earlier, she used to wake up by 6 am ,do her household work, eat breakfast by 9 am and go to work at her general store. At around 2 pm, she would have lunch and then  get back to work. She would leave work at 9, make dinner and eat at around 10pm, and sleep by midnight.

After she noticed pedal edema , she stopped sitting for long periods of time as she thought that was the cause. Because of her weakness, she stopped going to her general store and instead rested at home. 


Since a few months, the patient mentioned that she had not been eating properly. She barely ate two meals a day, and when she did she ate very little. There were days when she ate nothing at all, for 2-3 days at a time. She stated that the main reason for this was that she was facing psychological distress from family problems, and was worried about making ends meet. Currently, the family's main source of income was the general store, which she was taking care of alone. Additionally, doing the household work as well as caring for the children was taking a toll on her. She sadly noted that even admission in the hospital meant more worry for the family.


FAMILY HISTORY: 

No significant history  


GENERAL EXAMINATION: 

Patient is conscious, coherent and co-operative.

She is moderately built and moderately nourished.

Pallor - Present  



Icterus - Absent

Cyanosis - Absent 

Clubbing - Absent 

No lymphadenopathy

On examination, pedal edema is present below knee level


    

 





Vitals : 

Temperature - 96.8 ° F

Blood Pressure -110/70 mmHg

Pulse Rate -100 bpm

Respiratory Rate - 16 cpm

RBS - 158 gm/dl


SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION: 


PER ABDOMINAL EXAMINATION:

INSPECTION-

Shape of abdomen : flat

Umbilicus : inverted 

All quadrants of abdomen move with respiration 

No visible peristalsis, pulsations, sinuses, engorged veins, hernial sites 


PALPATION-

Abdomen soft

No local rise of temperature 

No tenderness

Inspectors findings are confirmed 

No palpable masses

Liver is not palpable 

Spleen is not palpable 


PERCUSSION:

Resonance note heard over all quadrants


AUSCULTATION:

Bowel sounds heard  



 

CVS EXAMINATION:

INSPECTION

The chest wall is bilaterally symmetrical

JVP mildly raised

No dilated veins, scars or sinuses are seen

Apical impulse not visible


PALPATION:

Apex beat is felt in the fifth intercostal space, 1 cm medial to the midclavicular line

No precordial bulge noted

No parasternal heave noted


AUSCULTATION:

S1 and S2 heard, no  murmurs  heard 


RS EXAMINATION:

INSPECTION

Shape of chest: bilaterally symmetrical

Expansion of chest: Equal on both sides

Position of trachea: Central

Supraclavicular and infraclavicular areas normal

Spinoscapular distance normal

No crowding of ribs 

No kyphoscoliosis

No visible scars, sinuses, pulsations


PALPATION:

Inspectory findings confirmed

No tenderness, local rise of temperature

Normal expansion of chest on both sides in all areas

Position of trachea: Central

Vocal fremitus: resonant note felt


PERCUSSION:

Resonant note heard over all areas


AUSCULTATION:

BAE positive

Vocal resonance: resonant in all areas


CNS EXAMINATION:

HIGHER MENTAL FUNCTIONS

Normal

Memory intact


CRANIAL NERVES-

Normal


SENSORY EXAMINATION

Normal sensations felt in all dermatomes


MOTOR EXAMINATION

Normal tone in upper and lower limb

Normal power in upper and lower limb

Normal gait


REFLEXES

Normal, brisk reflexes elicited- biceps, triceps, knee and ankle reflexes elicited


PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS: 

Anemia under evaluation

Etiology: Nutritional? Menstrual blood loss? 


EVALUATION: 

On 7 June 2023:

Complete Blood picture:-



Serum electrolytes 



 


Serum creatinine


Blood urea 


Complete Urine Examination



ECG 

Heart rate -100 bpm ( tachycardia)

Normal sinus rhythm

Non specific ST segment changes 

Low voltage QRS in lead aVF

Normal axis



On 13 June 2023 

Hb- 5gm/dl 

TLC - 5800 

MCV - 61.7 

MCHC - 23.1

MCH - 14.3 

Platelet - 3.0  

Serum iron - 31 micro gram / dl 

Blood urea - 22 mg/dl 

Serum creatinine - 0.6 mg/ dl 

Blood grouping - B +ve 

Serum ferritin - 2.2


FBS: 285mg/dl

PLBS:


Chest x-ray


USG:

Positive findings - borderline splenomegaly 

Right renal calculi 


2DECHO:





DIAGNOSIS:

Severe anemia secondary to ?Nutritional cause

Denovo Diabetes Mellitus


TREATMENT PLAN:

IRON SUCROSE 200MG IN 100ML NS IV WAS GIVEN TWICE

INJ OPTINEURON 1 AMPOULE IN 100ML NS

TAB GLIMIPERIDE 1MG PO OD

TAB METFORMIN 500MG PO OD


ADVICE AT DISCHARGE:

TAB GLIMIPERIDE 1MG PO OD BEFPRE FOOD AT 8AM TO CONTINUE

TAB METFORMIN 500MG PO BD AFTER FOOD AT 8AM AND 8PM TO CONTINUE

TAB OROFER XT PO OD AT 2PM FOR 1 MONTH

TAB BEPLEX FORTE AT 2PM FOR 15 DAYS



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