Hypochromic microcytic anemia as a clinical presentation of celiac disease

To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia and to evaluate if and how celiac disease influenced the outcome of anemia, 207 women with hypochromic microcytic anemia were enrolled. Multivariate statistical analysis showed significant differences for the values of hemoglobin comparing the celiac group with the other groups. Comparison of the clinical complications showed an evident statistical significance. Our study showed that among patients with iron deficiency anemia there was a high prevalence of celiac disease. Delayed diagnosis can lead to long-term chronic anemia and various clinical complications. We therefore believe that an early diagnosis prevents and minimizes the complications related to celiac disease, and that serologic screening should become routine in the diagnostic protocol for hypochromic microcytic anemia.