Inpatient iron deficiency detection and management: how do general physicians and gastroenterologists perform in a tertiary care hospital?

Internal Medicine Journal
Muhammad W FazalEliana Saffouri

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is often an indicator of underlying pathology. Early detection and treatment avoids long-term morbidity and allows for prompt iron repletion, avoiding ID anaemia (IDA) and the need for blood transfusion. To evaluate the management of ID in two internal medicine units (general medical (GM) and gastroenterology (GE)) in a large metropolitan hospital and compare it to international guidelines. All consecutive inpatient admissions in the GM and GE units were retrospectively reviewed until 40 patients in each service were identified with anaemia and/or microcytic hypochromic blood counts. Patient records and electronic discharge summaries were then reviewed to assess the recognition, investigation and management of these abnormalities. Overall, only 60% (48/80) of the cases of microcytic hypochromic picture and/or anaemia were recognised. Cases were more likely to be detected under the GE unit, 77.5% (31/40) versus 42% (17/40) in GM (P < 0.002). Of the 31 recognised GE cases, 28 (90%) were investigated further with iron studies and/or endoscopic procedures. ID was confirmed in nearly half (5/11) of those tested; however, only 2 of 5 received iron replacement. Among GM patients, only 11 of the 17 recognised cases...Continue Reading

References

Feb 26, 2009·The American Journal of Gastroenterology·Douglas K RexUNKNOWN American College of Gastroenterology
Nov 19, 2009·The New England Journal of Medicine·Stefan D AnkerUNKNOWN FAIR-HF Trial Investigators
Dec 22, 2009·Internal Medicine Journal·A FriedmanP R Gibson
May 13, 2011·Gut·Andrew F GoddardUNKNOWN British Society of Gastroenterology

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