Introduction:  Type 2 diabetes has recently escalated in all age groups and is now being seen in younger age groups, including adolescents, especially in high risk populations. Anaemia is one of the common finding in diabetes, particularly in patients with albuminuria or renal impairment. Recent studies have shown that at least 1 in 5 out patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in tertiary clinics have anaemia, in which it constitutes a significant additional burden.

Material & Methods: Study was conducted in the Postgraduate department of Pathology and department of Medicine, Government Medical College and associated hospitals, Jammu. It was prospective extending over a period of one year from 1^st November 2011 to 31^st October 2012. Observations comprised of: History, General physical examination, Systemic examination, haematological Investigations Biochemistry including urine examination.

Results: The main study was done on 87 patients. Out of 87 cases 41(47.12%) patients showed microcytic blood picture, 24(27.58%) patients showed dimorphic blood picture, 19(21.83%) patients showed predominantly macrocytic blood picture and 3(3.44%) patients showed normocytic normochromic blood picture. The prevalence of anaemia among diabetics in our study came out to be 58%.

Conclusion: Anaemia is an important cause of physical and mental impairments in diabetic patients including malaise, fatigue, weakness and other symptoms. Although anaemia represents an unwelcome additional burden in patients with diabetes. Fortunately, anaemia can be treated, and improved quality of life can be achieved.

Keywords: Anaemia; Diabetes; Iron deficiency; Albuminuria; Megaloblastic anaemia.

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Tazeen Jeelani

Lecturer Dept of Pathology Govt Medical College Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir India 190010

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