Exploring the association of Obesity on Cold and Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in San Joaquin Valley: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

The study examined the relationship between obesity and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) across four medical centers over a four-year period. The research included 25 patients with a previous diagnosis of AIHA and a positive DAT test showing signs of hemolysis. Patients were enrolled based on their body mass index (BMI) at the time of hospitalization or at the time of their original AIHA diagnosis. The results showed an association between elevated BMI (>25) and AIHA. However, the authors emphasize that other confounding factors must be considered and that further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between obesity and this autoimmune disease.