[Research progress of anemia associated with inflammatory bowel diseases].
Anemia is a frequent and serious complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). One third of patients with inflammatory bowel disease suffers from recurrent anemia. Anemia is associated with a decrease in the quality of life and an increased rate of hospitalization. A number of studies have been conducted and the most relevant conclusions obtained are:(1)anemia is quite common in IBD; (2)although in many cases anemia parallels the clinical activity of the disease, many patients in remission have anemia, and iron, vitamin B12 and/or folic acid deficiency;(3)anemia, and also iron deficiency without anemia, have important consequences in the clinical status and quality of life of the patients;(4)oral iron supplement is limited by poor absorption, intolerance, and induction of oxidative stress at the site of bowel inflammation; (5) intravenous iron sucrose has a high efficiency and a significant improvement in the quality of life; (6)erythropoietin is needed in a significant number of cases to achieve normal hemoglobin levels. Combination therapy with erythropoietin leads to a faster and larger hemoglobin increase. Thus, clinicians caring for IBD patients should have a comprehensive knowledge of anemia, and apply recently published guidelines in clinical practice.
Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Zhi-wu
ZW
Hong
Jian-an
JA
Ren
D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications*