EVALUATION OF ANEMIA IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Inammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal disorder causing prolonged inammation of the digestive tract. Anemia appears to be the most common extraintestinal manifestation of IBD. The incidence rate of anemia in IBD is still uncertain. The aim of the study was to study the incidence and type of anemia in newly diagnosed cases of IBD and to correlate with the disease activity. Methods: It was an observational cross sectional study done on 95 patients who were selected after applying appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood tests were done to detect and to determine the type of anemia.Results: 74(71%) patients were found to be anemic. Most common type of anemia was iron deciency anemia and anemia of chronic disease. Increase in disease severity was associated with higher incidence of anemia. Conclusion: Anemia is commonly present in patients of IBD at the time of diagnosis and is positively associated with disease severity. Routine screening and management of patients should be undertaken to improve the quality of life of patients