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Chronic anaemia in an Irish gastroenterology unit: one hundred consecutive cases
D J Lyons1, G Kavanagh, J F Fielding
1Department of Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia, often caused by upper gastrointestinal bleeding, is a common finding in patients with gastrointestinal conditions. Chronic disease also frequently causes anemia in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
Background:
- Anemia is a common condition affecting patients referred to gastroenterology services.
- Understanding the causes of anemia is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of anemia in patients with a gastroenterology subspecialty interest.
- To identify the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 100 consecutive patients with anemia (duration ≥ 4 weeks).
- Analysis included patient demographics, anemia etiology, and blood profile characteristics.
Main Results:
- Anemia was present in 3% of gastroenterology patients.
- Iron deficiency accounted for 49% of anemia cases, primarily due to upper gastrointestinal blood loss.
- Anemia of chronic disease was observed in 39% of patients.
- Microcytic hypochromic blood profiles were indicative of iron deficiency, but serum iron levels showed poor correlation with anemia severity.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency anemia, frequently linked to upper GI bleeding, is a primary cause of anemia in gastroenterology patients.
- Anemia of chronic disease is also a significant contributor.
- Further investigation into GI bleeding sources is warranted for iron deficiency anemia management.
Abstract:
One hundred consecutive patients presenting with anaemia of at least 4 wks' duration were studied. This represents 3% of all patients seen at a medical service with a gastroenterology subspecialty interest. Forty-three men and 57 women were included; the mean age was 60 (SD 18) yr. Iron deficiency was the principal cause of anaemia in 49% of cases. Blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract was the most frequent cause of iron deficiency and was predominantly from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Patients in whom iron deficiency was the sole cause of anaemia all had a microcytic hypochromic blood profile; however, serum iron and iron binding capacity correlated poorly with the severity of anaemia. Chronic disease was the principal cause of anaemia in 39% of patients.