Which symptom is commonly associated with pernicious anemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which symptom is commonly associated with pernicious anemia?

Glossitis appears in pernicious anemia because the underlying issue is vitamin B12 deficiency from autoimmune intrinsic factor loss. B12 is essential for DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, including the mucosal lining of the mouth and tongue. When B12 is lacking, the tongue’s papillae atrophy, resulting in a smooth, beefy red, tender tongue known as glossitis. This mucosal change is a characteristic and commonly reported symptom in pernicious anemia. Other options don’t fit as well because a cough is not a typical feature of B12 deficiency or autoimmune gastritis, arthralgia can occur with various autoimmune conditions but is not specific to pernicious anemia, and abdominal pain is nonspecific and not characteristic of this disorder.

Glossitis appears in pernicious anemia because the underlying issue is vitamin B12 deficiency from autoimmune intrinsic factor loss. B12 is essential for DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, including the mucosal lining of the mouth and tongue. When B12 is lacking, the tongue’s papillae atrophy, resulting in a smooth, beefy red, tender tongue known as glossitis. This mucosal change is a characteristic and commonly reported symptom in pernicious anemia.

Other options don’t fit as well because a cough is not a typical feature of B12 deficiency or autoimmune gastritis, arthralgia can occur with various autoimmune conditions but is not specific to pernicious anemia, and abdominal pain is nonspecific and not characteristic of this disorder.

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