PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN WOMEN WITH DYSPHAGIA.

Introduction: Difficulty in swallowing or dysphagia is a common symptom. Prolonged dysphagia over a period of days and months can lead to mild to severe malnutrition which also includes iron deficiency anaemia. Aims: To know the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in middle aged female patients presenting with complaints of dysphagia in otorhinolaryngology department of tertiary care hospital of rural India. Materials and methods: Prospective study was conducted to investigate the association of iron deficiency anemia with dysphagia in an adult female Indian hospital population of 100 patients. Those 100 patients were divided into study group(with dysphagia) and control group(without dysphagia). Results: There were 18% and 8% of patients having iron deficiency anemia in the study group and control group respectively. Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is more in dysphagic patients than non-dysphagic patients. Patients with dysphagia and iron deficiency anemia are at high risk of developing post cricoid carcinoma. Conclusion: Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is more in dysphagic patients than non-dysphagic patients. In this study, patients with dysphagia were more from middle age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]