Alimentary TractThe burden of anaemia in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

BackgroundAnaemia (AN) is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and can negatively influence the quality of life of patients.AimTo evaluate the prevalence and causes of AN in IBD.MethodsWe prospectively performed a one-year multicentre observational study including all IBD cases attending six Units. We also investigated patients' main serological parameters.ResultsThe study population included 965 IBD patients (582 CD; 383 UC), of whom 142 were in-patients and 823 out-patients. AN was diagnosed in 134 out of 965 IBD patients (14%). No significant difference in AN prevalence was observed between CD and UC. The prevalence of AN was higher in the hospitalized IBD (26% in- vs. 11.7% out-patients; p < 0.01; OR 2.2) and in active disease (CD: 34% active vs. 16% inactive; p < 0.01; OR 2.1 - UC: 26% active vs. 19% inactive; p = 0.03; OR 1.3). Iron deficiency was present in 72 patients (53.7%), AN of chronic diseases in 12 (8.2%), mixed type AN in 11 (8.2%), thalassemia in 9 (6.7%), and macrocytic AN in 8 (5.9%).ConclusionsIn Southern Italy, AN is common in IBD and is more frequent in active disease and hospitalized patients. Iron deficiency still remains the major cause of AN in IBD.