Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease : A Case Report
dr. Lisna Rosalia Agaus
Abstract
Background
Anemia is one of the most frequent complications and or extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Iron deficiency is the most important cause of anemia in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients. Iron deficiency even without anemia may impact the quality of life of our IBD patients.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases that cause chronic inflammation and damage in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is responsible for digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. Inflammation impairs the ability of affected GI organs to function properly, leading to symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fatigue.
Case Description
A 56- years old man was admitted to our unit in December 2021 with symptoms of bloody stools. For 3 years before this time, he had passed bloody stools daily but had never received medication for the symptom. On admission, the patient presented with frequent passage of bloodstained stool, abdominal pain, fatigue and significant weight loss. Hematologic and biochemical blood tests including serum electrolytes, liver enzymes, and amylase showed lower haemoglobin levels (Hb) 7,3. Endoscopic examination showed IBD stage mild degree. The patient receiving transfusion treatment and steroid therapy.
Conclusion
Successful therapy of anemia may even improve the quality of life better than the therapy of disease activity (anti-inflammatory therapy). Further, anemia was even found to be among the most frequent comorbid conditions associated with death in IBD patients. However, in those patients, it may simply reflect the severity of the underlying IBD.
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