Parameters of Iron Metabolism in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia and Erosive Lesions of the Gastroduodenal Zone
Authors: Popovych Myroslava 
Published: February 2023

The most common disease in the world is erosive-ulcerative lesions of the gastroduodenal zone (EULGZ). These are chronic polyetiological, recurrent diseases with disruption of the neuro-endocrine and humoral mechanisms that regulate the secretory-trophic process in the gastroduodenal zone with the development of ulcers. In this disease, ulcers have different localization and clinical course, significantly reduce the quality of life, affect work capacity and personal life. Lack of timely diagnosis and treatment can have adverse consequences.
The objective: to analyse the characteristics of clinical and metabolic disorders in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and its combination with EULGZ in order to develop the methods for assessing the disease severity, optimizing diagnostics and treatment tactics.
Materials and methods. The observation group included 26 patients (15 men and 11 women) with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) on background of EULGZ with localization of ulcerative defects of the mucous membrane in the stomach or duodenal bulb. The diagnosis of IDA was verified on the basis of changes in the basic characteristics of clinical manifestations (signs of anemic hypoxia and sideropenic syndrome), specific changes in peripheral blood and indicators of iron metabolism. Patients with IDA and EULGZ, were examined by endoscopic methods, underwent ultrasound and, if necessary, radiological examination.
The control group included 35 primary donors (16 women and 19 men), who underwent two laboratory tests for hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV infection/AIDS. All examined donors underwent a comprehensive examination of peripheral blood and determined biochemical indicators.
The indicators of iron metabolism were determined in all participants: iron content in the blood serum (IS), total iron-binding capacity of the blood serum (TIBS). The index of unsaturated iron-binding capacity of blood serum was calculated as the difference between TIBS and IS. The coefficient of transferrin saturation with iron was determined as the ratio of the content of IS to TIBS. The content of transferrin was determined according to the TIBS indicator, ferritin – by the radiometric method.
Results. Peripheral blood indicators in primary donors and morphometric changes in peripheral blood in patients with IDA were analyzed. The results of investigations of the indicators of iron exchange in blood serum are presented: iron concentration, total iron-binding capacity of serum and the degree of saturation of serum with iron. It was found that male donors have significantly higher levels of iron and ferritin in blood serum compared to female donors.
The dynamic of changes in peripheral blood parameters in patients with IDA caused by long-term blood loss due to EULGZ during the treatment process is shown. Treatment of the EULGZ led to the significant changes of such indicators as the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte indices towards normalization. The normalization of the reticulocyte count was observed on the 90th day of treatment. The detected changes in the number of platelets in patients with IDA due to EULGZ were observed in the absence of active bleeding from the digestive tract.
Conclusions. As a result of the progression of IDA due to the erosive-ulcerative lesions of the gastroduodenal zone, the imbalance of iron metabolism deepens, serious disorders of iron metabolism develop, especially in the content of plasma ferritin.
Patients with IDA caused by long-term blood loss as a result of EULGZ, should be prescribed a drug for oral use containing ferrous sulfate with a mucosa-protective effect at a dose of 2 mg/kg per day, followed by a decreased dose after normalization of the serum ferritin level.