Revista clínica española
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Revista clínica española · Jun 2009
[Differential factors of tumor etiology for iron deficiency anemia of probable gastrointestinal origin].
Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of probably gastrointestinal (GI) tract origin is a difficult task for the clinician. ⋯ In IDA, colonoscopy (or contrast barium enema in certain circumstances) is the most important exploration to rule out malignancy. Only NSAID use is useful to exclude cancer. Patients without identifiable lesions have a favorable prognosis. A moderate frequency of synchronous lesions was found. We recommend a complete conventional GI endoscopic study if no evident bleeding lesion is found during the initial endoscopic procedure. Capsule endoscopy and celiac disease serology are useful in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.