GS32P
IS ABDOMINAL CT IN ADDITION TO GASTRO‐INTESTINAL TRACT INVESTIGATION SUFFICIENT TO DETECT ALL SIGNIFICANT DISEASE IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA

• Published in: ANZ journal of surgery Vol. 79; no. s1; p. A32
• Main Authors: Hernon, J. M., Fenech, M., Hall, N. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.05.2009
• ISSN: 1445-1433; 1445-2197
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2009.04917_32.x

Introduction:   The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines for patients presenting with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) suggest patients should undergoing upper and lower gastrointestinal tract examination in addition to coeliac serology. Studies suggest that in approximately 20% of patients no diagnosis is made. In these patients subsequent management and risk of underlying malignancy remains unclear. In our unit all patients initially negative following investigation undergo an abdominal CT scan. Aim To determine 1) cancer detection and overall disease detection rates for patients referred with IDA on the cancer pathway 2) Subsequent outcomes of patients with no diagnosis made after initial investigations. Methods:   Patients referred between Jan 2002 – Jan 2005 were retrospectively reviewed with respect to 1) diagnosis following initial investigations 2) addition diagnosis following abdominal CT 3) Eventual outcome 3 years following presentations. Results:   111 patients were reviewed. Following initial investigation 12 colorectal and 2 gastric cancers were identified. 63% of patients had a diagnosis following initial investigations. Three patients were diagnosed with underlying malignancy following abdominal CT. 38 patients had no diagnosis, non reattended over a 3 year period with significant pathology. Conclusion:   BSG guideline investigations with addition abdominal CT is sufficient to detect disease in patients with IDA.