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Iron deficiency and gastrointestinal malignancy: a population-based cohort study
George N Ioannou1, Don C Rockey, Christopher L Bryson
1Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98108, USA. georgei@medicine.washington.edu
The American Journal of Medicine
|October 4, 2002
Summary
Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is linked to higher gastrointestinal cancer risk in men and postmenopausal women. This association was not observed in premenopausal women, regardless of iron status.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Iron deficiency and anemia are common conditions with diverse etiologies.
- The relationship between iron deficiency and gastrointestinal malignancy requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if iron deficiency, with or without anemia, increases the risk of gastrointestinal malignancy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a nationally representative prospective cohort study (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Epidemiologic Followup Study).
- Inclusion of 9024 participants aged 25-74 with no prior gastrointestinal malignancy.
- Definitions: Anemia (hemoglobin < 5th percentile), Iron Deficiency (iron saturation < 15%).
Main Results:
- Gastrointestinal malignancies were identified in 0.2% of participants within 2 years.
- No gastrointestinal malignancies were found in iron-deficient premenopausal women.
- Among men and postmenopausal women, gastrointestinal malignancy risk was 31x higher with iron deficiency anemia and 5x higher with iron deficiency alone, compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Gastrointestinal malignancy is rare in iron-deficient premenopausal women.
- Iron deficiency significantly elevates gastrointestinal malignancy risk in men and postmenopausal women.