Predictors of GI Lesions in Iron Deficiency Anemia Without Symptoms
Author Information
Author(s): Majid Shahid, Salih Mohammad, Wasaya Rozina, Jafri Wasim
Primary Institution: Aga Khan University Hospital
Hypothesis
What are the predictors of gastrointestinal lesions on endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency anemia who do not exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms?
Conclusion
Clinical and biochemical markers can predict gastrointestinal lesions on endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency anemia without gastrointestinal symptoms.
Supporting Evidence
- 71% of patients had a possible cause of anemia identified.
- 53% of patients had bleeding-related lesions found.
- 41% of patients with bleeding-related lesions had upper gastrointestinal tract lesions.
Takeaway
Doctors can use certain blood tests and patient age to guess if someone with low iron has hidden stomach problems, even if they don't feel sick.
Methodology
Cross-sectional study with 95 patients undergoing esophago-gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.
Limitations
The study did not investigate patients with negative endoscopies using capsule endoscopy or enteroscopy.
Participant Demographics
{"gender_ratio":"48 males, 47 females","mean_age":52.1,"NSAID_users":22,"weight_loss_history":29,"fatigue_history":18,"family_history_of_GI_cancers":2,"prior_IDA_therapy":9}
Statistical Information
P-Value
{"age":"<0.001","hemoglobin":"0.04","MCV":"0.003","FOB":"<0.001","NSAID_use":"0.04"}
Confidence Interval
{"bleeding_related":"95% CI 77 – 92%","overall_cause":"95% CI 81–95%"}
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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