Differential Diagnosis for Easily Bruising

The following differential diagnosis is organized into categories to help guide the thought process.

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy): A common and often overlooked cause of easy bruising, particularly in individuals with poor dietary habits or increased requirements.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Vitamin K Deficiency: Essential for blood clotting, a deficiency can lead to easy bruising and bleeding.
  • Platelet Disorders (e.g., Thrombocytopenia or Platelet Function Disorders): Conditions affecting platelet count or function can lead to increased bruising.
  • Medication Side Effects (e.g., Anticoagulants, Steroids): Certain medications can interfere with blood clotting or affect blood vessel integrity, leading to easy bruising.
  • Hormonal Changes (e.g., Menstruation, Pregnancy): Fluctuations in hormone levels can affect blood vessels and lead to increased bruising.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Bleeding Disorders (e.g., Hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease): Although less common, these conditions can have severe consequences if not diagnosed and managed properly.
  • Leukemia or Lymphoma: Malignancies affecting blood cells can lead to easy bruising due to impaired blood clotting or platelet function.
  • Liver Disease: Conditions like cirrhosis can lead to coagulopathy and easy bruising.
  • Kidney Disease: Certain kidney conditions can affect platelet function and lead to bruising.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to easy bruising and poor wound healing.
  • Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: A rare genetic disorder affecting elastic tissue, leading to easy bruising and other systemic symptoms.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins, which can affect blood vessels and lead to easy bruising.

Each diagnosis is included based on its potential to cause easy bruising, with consideration of the underlying pathophysiology and the potential consequences of missing the diagnosis.