Treatment of iron deficiency anemia associated with gastrointestinal tract diseases - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia associated with gastrointestinal tract diseases

Ulas D Bayraktar et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2010.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a common site of bleeding that may lead to iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Treatment of IDA depends on severity and acuity of patients' signs and symptoms. While red blood cell transfusions may be required in hemodynamically unstable patients, transfusions should be avoided in chronically anemic patients due to their potential side effects and cost. Iron studies need to be performed after episodes of GI bleeding and stores need to be replenished before anemia develops. Oral iron preparations are efficacious but poorly tolerated due to non-absorbed iron-mediated GI side effects. However, oral iron dose may be reduced with no effect on its efficacy while decreasing side effects and patient discontinuation rates. Parenteral iron therapy replenishes iron stores quicker and is better tolerated than oral therapy. Serious hypersensitive reactions are very rare with new intravenous preparations. While data on worsening of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity by oral iron therapy are not conclusive, parenteral iron therapy still seems to be advantageous in the treatment of IDA in patients with IBD, because oral iron may not be sufficient to overcome the chronic blood loss and GI side effects of oral iron which may mimic IBD exacerbation. Finally, we believe the choice of oral vs parenteral iron therapy in patients with IBD should primarily depend on acuity and severity of patients' signs and symptoms.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Novacek G. Plummer-Vinson syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2006;1:36. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Earley CJ. Clinical practice. Restless legs syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:2103–2109. - PubMed
    1. Baccini F, Spiriti MA, Vannella L, Monarca B, Delle Fave G, Annibale B. Unawareness of gastrointestinal symptomatology in adult coeliac patients with unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia presentation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;23:915–921. - PubMed
    1. Hershko C, Ianculovich M, Souroujon M. A hematologist's view of unexplained iron deficiency anemia in males: impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2007;38:45–53. - PubMed
    1. Favier A, Ruffieux D. Physiological variations of serum levels of copper, zinc, iron and manganese. Biomed Pharmacother. 1983;37:462–466. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources