Abstract
Anemia is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a prevalence ranging from 8.8% to 73.7%. This wide range reflects the definitions used and the populations studied. Although many patients are reported to be asymptomatic, systematic studies have shown anemia to have a significant impact on quality of life. Consequently treatment should be instituted early. The commonest cause of anemia in IBD is iron deficiency, predominantly related to gastrointestinal blood loss. Anemia of chronic disease often occurs concomitantly, due to cytokine-mediated impaired erythropoiesis and dysregulated iron metabolism. Oral iron is a simple and effective method for treating iron deficiency, but requires long courses of treatment. It is also theoretically implicated with worsening intestinal inflammation, via the production of toxic reactive oxygen species. Intravenous iron avoids these concerns, especially with the development of ferric carboxymaltose, which allow up to 1000mg to be given rapidly. In patients failing to respond to intravenous iron, the anemia of chronic disease is most likely to be causative. In this setting evidence suggests that additional erythropoietin therapy can be effective. Blood transfusions should be avoided as part of routine management and reserved for patients with substantial acute gastro-intestinal bleeding, where there is a risk of hemodynamic compromise. This article discusses the underlying physiology of anemia in IBD, and presents the current evidence supporting treatment options available.
Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, anemia, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, hemoglobin
Current Drug Delivery
Title:What is the Optimal Treatment for Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Volume: 9 Issue: 4
Author(s): Alexandra J. Kent, Victoria J. Blackwell and Simon P.L. Travis
Affiliation:
Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, anemia, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, hemoglobin
Abstract: Anemia is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a prevalence ranging from 8.8% to 73.7%. This wide range reflects the definitions used and the populations studied. Although many patients are reported to be asymptomatic, systematic studies have shown anemia to have a significant impact on quality of life. Consequently treatment should be instituted early. The commonest cause of anemia in IBD is iron deficiency, predominantly related to gastrointestinal blood loss. Anemia of chronic disease often occurs concomitantly, due to cytokine-mediated impaired erythropoiesis and dysregulated iron metabolism. Oral iron is a simple and effective method for treating iron deficiency, but requires long courses of treatment. It is also theoretically implicated with worsening intestinal inflammation, via the production of toxic reactive oxygen species. Intravenous iron avoids these concerns, especially with the development of ferric carboxymaltose, which allow up to 1000mg to be given rapidly. In patients failing to respond to intravenous iron, the anemia of chronic disease is most likely to be causative. In this setting evidence suggests that additional erythropoietin therapy can be effective. Blood transfusions should be avoided as part of routine management and reserved for patients with substantial acute gastro-intestinal bleeding, where there is a risk of hemodynamic compromise. This article discusses the underlying physiology of anemia in IBD, and presents the current evidence supporting treatment options available.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
J. Kent Alexandra, J. Blackwell Victoria and P.L. Travis Simon, What is the Optimal Treatment for Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?, Current Drug Delivery 2012; 9 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720112801323026
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720112801323026 |
Print ISSN 1567-2018 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5704 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of natural products, bio-actives and novel drug delivery system against emerging viral infections
Due to the increasing prevalence of viral infections and the ability of these human pathogens to develop resistance to current treatment strategies, there is a great need to find and develop new compounds to combat them. These molecules must have low toxicity, specific activity and high bioavailability. The most suitable ...read more
Electrospun Fibers as Drug Delivery Systems
In recent years, electrospun fibers have attracted considerable attention as potential platforms for drug delivery due to their distinctive properties and adaptability. These fibers feature a notable surface area-to-volume ratio and can be intentionally designed with high porosity, facilitating an increased capacity for drug loading and rendering them suitable for ...read more
Emerging Nanotherapeutics for Mitigation of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) present a significant hurdle due to limited access of both treatments and diagnostic tools for the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a barrier, restricting the passage of molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. The most formidable challenge facing scientists is ...read more
Nanotechnology Based Chemotherapy for the treatment of Head & Neck Cancer
The escalating recurrence rates observed in Head and Neck cancer, particularly within the chemo-therapeutically treated cohort (50-60%), can be attributed to the non-selective nature of current anticancer drug delivery modalities. In this context, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems emerge as a promising avenue for achieving precise localization of therapeutic agents to ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Targeting Drugs to APJ Receptor: The Prospect of Treatment of Hypertension and Other Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Drug Targets Minoxidil Use in Dermatology, Side Effects and Recent Patents
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Chemistry and Biology of Cyperus scariosus: An Overview
Current Chemical Biology The Hypothalamic-Neurohypophyseal System: Current and Future Treatment of Vasopressin and Oxytocyn Related Disorders
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Imidazole Scaffold Based Compounds in the Development of Therapeutic Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Current Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery
Current Drug Therapy Cross-Reactivity in Cell-Mediated and IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivity to Glucocorticoids
Current Pharmaceutical Design Assessing and Treating Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: Current and Future
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting TNF-Alpha to Elucidate and Ameliorate Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Cytotoxic Potential of Phenothiazines
Current Drug Targets Pathways Related to the Anti-Cancer Effects of Metabolites Derived from Cerrado Biome Native Plants: An Update and Bioinformatics Analysis on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Protein & Peptide Letters Pharmacological and Surgical Therapy for Primary Postpartum Hemorrhage
Current Pharmaceutical Design Natural or Plant Products for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders: Current Knowledge
Current Drug Metabolism Nitric Oxide and Dietary Factors: Part III Minerals, Vitamins and Other Dietary and Lifestyle Factors
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Cellular and Physiological Effects of Arginine
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Neuroprotection by Diazoxide in Animal Models for Cerebrovascular Disorders
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Current Advances in Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Drug Discovery and Design for Complex Diseases through QSAR Computational Methods
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vasopressin and Related Peptides; Potential Value in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Clinical Disorders
Current Drug Metabolism Preface: Additional Potential Applications of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and of Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
Current Pharmaceutical Design