IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA;

FREQUENCY OF DUAL LESIONS DETECTED BY BIDIRECTIONAL ENDOSCOPY IN PATIENTS WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA WITHOUT OBVIOUS BLOOD LOSS.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of dual lesions detected by Upper and lower GI endoscopies in patients with iron deficiency anemia without obvious blood loss. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Civil Hospital Karachi from 1st Feb 2015 to 31^st July 2015. Methodology: A total 163 patients with Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) for duration of 6 months were registered. Upper and lower GI endoscopies were done in all patients. Outcome variable were the presence of dual lesion identified by gastroenterologist during Upper and lower GI endoscopies. All the results were catered in the pre-approved performa and findings were evaluated by SPSS 17. Results: The average age of the patients was 40.64±11.17 years. Frequency of dual lesions detected by Upper and lower GI endoscopies in patients with iron deficiency anemia without obvious blood loss was observed in 38.65% (63/163) cases. Conclusion: Upper GI tract lesion like gastritis, duodenitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer were the most common causes of IDA without obvious blood loss. However, Dual lesions were not uncommon, thus both procedures (upper and lower GI endoscopies) were required in most (particularly elderly) patients. This can help to provide shorter hospital stays, reduced medical costs and faster decision making for patient care.