PTH-101The Burden of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in a Tertiary IBD Centre Population

IntroductionAnaemia is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of IBD, with iron deficiency being the most prevalent cause. The ECCO guidelines published in 2012 included the management of anaemia in UC. Previous studies have shown up to 1/3 of the IBD population are anaemic. Anaemia may affect quality of life in patients. There remains uncertainty in the clinical benefit in treatment of mildly anaemic and iron deficient patients. The aim of the study was to identify the burden of iron deficiency anaemia in patients with IBD in a tertiary referral centre and whether we are treating this according to the ECCO guidelines.MethodsConsecutive patients with IBD reviewed in general gastroenterology and specialist IBD clinics during one month period extending from the 1st of December 2012 to the 1st of January 2013 were included. Hb, MCV, ferritin and transferrin saturations were recorded. Results were documented prospectively. Iron deficiency was diagnosed on the basis of recent ECCO guidelines. Anaemia was defined as Hb < 12 g/dL in females and < 13 g/dL in males Treatment with oral or parenteral iron was also noted.ResultsOut of 104 patients seen during this period, 21 (20.2%) patients had iron deficiency out of which 11 (10.6%) were anaemic. 3/11 (27.3%) patients with iron deficiency anaemia had a Hb of less than 10, 2/3 of which received parental iron. One received no treatment. Out of the remaining patients with milder iron deficiency anaemia (Hb > 10 g/dL), 3 had no treatment, 1 had IV only, 2 had oral only and 2 had both IV and oral. In the Iron deficient non anaemic group, 6/10 had no treatment, 2/10 had oral iron and 2/10 had parental iron.ConclusionOur study showed 20.2% of IBD patients attending over a one month period had iron deficiency anaemia or iron deficiency. Treatment of iron deficiency with and without anaemia is variable and could improve with adherence to a clear protocol. The question of whether the treatment of iron deficiency without significant anaemia in IBD improves fatigue and QOL requires further research.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared.