The examination of the digestive tract in patients with iron-deficiency anemia

According to literature the gastroenterologic consultations for iron-deficiency anemia are quite frequent. The aim was the evaluation of the part played by gastrointestinal examinations for the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia. There were 115 patients admitted in the Medical Clinic between 1998-1999, with iron-deficiency anemia in the absence of macroscopic bleeding who carried out upper or lower endoscopy. A digestive lesion which account for iron deficiency anemia was identified in 35% of the cases. In the upper digestive tract there were 60%, in decreasing order of frequency: peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, erosive gastritis, angiodysplasia. In the lower digestive tract were 35% of the cases (colorectal cancer, polyps, angiodysplasia and hemorrhoids). In 5% of the cases there were found synchronization of the digestive tract lesions. So the digestive tract examination is worth doing because it establishes the diagnosis in 35% of the cases with few symptoms. The digestive tract lesions are more frequent in the upper tract, but they are more severe in the lower digestive tract. The possibility of the synchronization of lesions proves the necessity of carrying out the complete examination of the whole digestive tract.