Open AccessConsensus Statement by an Expert Panel on the Diagnosis and Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
Author(s) -
Aleem Aamer,
Alsayegh Faisal,
Keshav Satish,
Alfadda Abdulrahman,
Alfadhli Ahmad Awad,
Al-Jebreen Abdulrahman,
Al-Kasim Fawaz,
Almuhaini Ali,
Al-Zahrani Hazzaa,
Batwa Faisal,
Denic Srdjan,
Jazzar Ahmad,
Owaidah Tarek,
Qari Mohamad,
Qari Yousef,
Taha Mazen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medical principles and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1423-0151
pISSN - 1011-7571
DOI - 10.1159/000503707
Subject(s) - original paper
Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and ID anemia (IDA) are common in the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The unique genetic and lifestyle factors of the patient population in the region have necessitated the development of recommendations to help educate health-care professionals on appropriate diagnosis and management of ID/IDA. Methods: A panel of regional experts, including gastroenterologists and hematologists with expertise in the treatment of IDA, was convened to develop regional practice recommendations for ID/IDA. After reviewing the regional and international literature, the expert panel developed consensus recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with IDA in the GCC region. Results: The recommendations proposed were customized to the patient population keeping in view the increasingly recognized burden of coeliac disease, high fertility and obesity rates, high prevalence of alpha- and beta-thalassemia traits, and poor tolerance and low treatment compliance with oral iron therapy. Conclusions: This consensus statement proposes recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of IDA in the GCC region.