Evaluation of endoscopy and colonoscopy results in anemia patients according to patient age groups

Introduction: According to the results of endoscopy and colonoscopy performed in patients with anemia in this study, a study was conducted on the rates of anemia etiology in gastrointestinal system lesions. Material and Method: Patients over 18 years of age who were admitted to Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center Adult Gastrenterology Clinic between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2019, who were diagnosed with anemia as a result of complete blood counts (CBC's) conducted for various reasons, and who undervent endoscopy and colonoscopy evaluations were included in this study. Patient results were scanned retrospectively from the computer automation system and patients' data was obtained. Results: Of the 189 patients included in the study; 93 were female and 96 were male. 99 (52.4%) of these patients were under, and 90 (47.6%) were above the 65 years in age. Among the patients, the youngest was 20 and the oldest was 91 years old, and the average age was calculated as 61.02. As a result of the CBC's examined in these patients, the lowest hemoglobin was measured as 3.3 g/dl, the higher hemoglobin was 12.8 g/dl and the average hemoglobin was calculated as 9.72 g/dl. 173 (91.5%) benign, 9 (4.8%) malignant, and 7 (3.7%) bleeding images were obtained in the endoscopy evaluations of these patients. In the colonoscopy imaging of the patients, 132 (69.8%) were assessed as normal, 26 (13.8%) as benign, 21 (11.1%) as malignant and in 10 (5.3%) patients bleeding was not detected. When patients suffering from malignant pathologies were evaluated according to age and gender, 4 (2.1%) of female and 11 (5.8%) of male patients were detected under the age of 65. In the group of patients over 65 years in age, malignancy was observed in 5 (2.6%) of female patients and 10 (5.3%) of male patients. Twenty one (11.1%) of malignant patients are male and 9 (4.7%) are female. In the present study, 30 (15.8%) patients had malignancy and the most common malignancy was colorectal cancers with 20 (10.6%) patients. Conclusion: Endoscopy and colonoscopy is of great significance in determining the etiology in patients with anemia. Patients with anemia should be screened for malignant diseases. Keywords: Anemia, endoscopy, colonoscopy, old age, cancer