Gastrointestinal Lesions in African American Patients With Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a frequent disorder that is associated with many serious diseases. However, the findings of an evaluation of IDA-associated gastrointestinal disorders are lacking among African American patients.

To determine the most prevalent gastrointestinal lesions among African American patients with IDA especially in young men.

We reviewed medical records (n = 422) of patients referred for evaluation of IDA from 2008 to 2012. Iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed using clinical laboratory tests. The results of esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and pathology specimens along with demographic data were abstracted and analyzed using Stata.

The mean age was 61.9 years, and 50.5% were women. In total, 189 patients (45%) had gross gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The most frequent diagnoses were gastritis (40%), benign colonic lesions (13%), esophagitis (9%), gastric ulcer (6%), and duodenitis (6%). GI bleeding was significantly more frequent in men (P = 0.001). Benign and malignant colonic lesions were significantly more present among older patients: 16% vs 6% (P = .005) and 5% vs 0% (P = .008), respectively. Colitis was more prevalent in younger patients (⩽50): 11% vs 2% (P = .001). In patients with gross lower GI bleeding, the top diagnoses were gastritis (25%), benign colon tumors (10%), and duodenitis (6%). Colon cancer was diagnosed among 15 patients, and all these patients were older than 50 years of age.

Gastritis and colonic lesions are most common associated lesions with IDA among African Americans. So bidirectional endoscopy is required for unrevealing of the cause of IDA in asymptomatic patients.