The study aim was to assess the relationship between nutritional markers decrease and hemoglobin level in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.
Methods: The cross-sectional retrospective analysis was performed. Data from medical records of 103 ulcerative colitis patients was included to analysis. Demographic characteristics, disease behavior, gut involvement extension, hemoglobin and total serum protein levels were collected. Body mass index (BMi) and fat-free mass index mass were collected retrospec- tively from bloimpedance analysis data. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to study the relationship be- tween nutrition status parameters and hemoglobin level adjusted for demographic and diseaseTassociated characteristics.
Results: Prevalence of anemia in the sample was 37.9%. In adjusted multiple linear regression model total serum protein level and fat-free mass index were directly associated with the hemoglobin level: standardized β 0.369 (p = 0.010) and standardized β = 0.509 (p <0.001) respectively.
Conclusions: We assume undernutrition is one of causative agents of anemia in UC patients. It is likely the anemia treat- ment in UC patient with undernutrition must be performed with nutritional support.