title: [Prevalence and characteristics of anemia and iron deficiency in patients hospitalized for gastrointestinal diseases in Spain].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and characteristics of anemia and iron deficiency in patients hospitalized for gastrointestinal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  An epidemiological, multicenter, mixed design study (retrospective review of randomized clinical records and prospective visits) conducted between February 2010 and March 2011 in 22 Spanish gastroenterology departments. Severe anemia was defined as Hb < 10g/dL, mild/moderate as Hb ≥ 10g/dL, and iron deficiency as ferritin < 30ng/ml or transferrin saturation < 16%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 379 patients. The mean±SD age was 57±19 years and 47% were men. The prevalence of anemia at admission was 60% (95% CI 55 to 65), and anemia was severe (Hb <10g/dl) in half the patients. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 54% of evaluable patients (95% CI 47 to 61). Gastrointestinal bleeding at admission was found in 39% of the patients, of whom 83% (121/146) were anemic. At discharge, the proportion of anemic patients was unchanged (from 60% at admission to 58% at discharge) (95% CI 53 to 63) and iron deficiency was found in 41% (95% CI 32 to 50): anemia was severe in 17% and mild/moderate in 41%. During follow-up, at 3-6 months after admission, 44% (95% CI 39 to 50) of evaluable patients continued to have iron deficiency and 28% (95% CI 23 to 32) were still anemic: 5% severe and 23% mild/moderate. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 44% (95% CI: 39-50). During admission, 50% of patients with anemia did not receive treatment. At discharge, 55% were untreated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of anemia in patients hospitalized for gastroenterological diseases was very high. Anemia persisted in over a quarter of patients at the follow-up visit. Only half of hospitalized patients received treatment for anemia, even when the anemia was severe.
authors: Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: fmearinm@meditex.es.
authors: Fermín
authors: F
authors: Mearin
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Barreiro-de Acosta
authors: Ángel
authors: Á
authors: González-Galilea
authors: Javier P
authors: JP
authors: Gisbert
authors: Mercedes
authors: M
authors: Cucala
authors: Julio
authors: J
authors: Ponce
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019189:Iron Metabolism Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain
keywords: Anemia; Enfermedades gastrointestinales; Ferropenia; Gastrointestinal diseases; Hierro; Iron; Iron-deficiency; Prevalence; Prevalencia