Dear Pouchers,

I thought some of you might find this interesting. Please confirm this information with your own research! Suggest: Google - Pouch Anemia...

Since getting an internal pouch I have dealt with anemia to varying degrees, including the transfusion of 2 units last year after nearly passing out in a grocery store. While visiting the Cleveland Clinic last week, a GI, Dr. Bo Shen, who works with Dr. Fazio, shared that the Clinic just published a study investigating Anemia and Pouches. What I remember him telling me, (please investigate this on your own), is that 25% of people with internal pouches are found to be anemic. And, 25% of those with this anemia, the reason for it is never found. (So far, I lie in that 25% of 25%). I thought this important to share, as it helped me to explain my lack of energy since getting a pouch, first j, now k, soon to be illeo. PLEASE, investigate this information on your own, as this was a short, quick conversation with the Doc.

Joe

Yep, you are right Joe, but the rate is a little less than your recollection. It is 17% for those with UC and 26% for those with FAP. Those with unclear cause of the anemia are about 25% of the group with anemia, but overall this winds up being about 6% of pouchers in general. It is noted that pouch configuration is listed as an independent factor, along with desmoid tumors (a component of FAP). Also, most of those identified with anemia had mild (55%) or moderate (11%) anemia. Only 2% had severe anemia (severe enough to require transfusions). This would be about 0.26% of the total study group (1 out of 389). I wonder, Joe, if you were that one, since you are undoubtedly in their database as one of their patients!

So, Joe, you are a rare animal.

Here is a link to an abstract of the recent study you spoke of.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed...&itool=pubmed_docsum

In another recently published article, iron deficiency anemia was highly assoicated with pouchitis as an early symptom.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed...&itool=pubmed_docsum

Jan

Jan,
You may be right. I could be that "1" while under the care of the former CCF-Naples. Presently, I am mildly anemic/quite iron deficient and taking iron supplements...for 3 months. The hematologists remains concerned, the surgeon does not...I am also concerned as I prefer to remain "topped off" with all my fluids - assuming no disease, etc.
Joe