Anemia is a frequent complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The main incriminated mechanisms are the iron deficiency and the chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia in IBD patients and to identify the main causes.
Material and methods: A prospective study was carried out between April 1st 2011 and April 30th 2012 on a batch of 144 IBD patients diagnosed in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center of lasi. The IBD diagnosis was based on clinical, biological, endoscopic and histological criteria. The anemia diagnosis was based on the World Health Organization criteria.
Results: Anemia was present in 40.27 % of IBD patients. The main cause identified was mixed type anemia, followed by iron deficiency and inflammation. Iron deficiency anemia was present especially in patients with ulcerative colitis with long evolution, frequent activity spurts and extended forms of diseases; an inflammatory anemia emerged mainly in patients with exterided and moderate-severe forms of the diseases.
Conclusions: Anemia remains a frequently associated pathology to the inflammatory bowel disease that requires specific management.