Guidelines for the management of iron deficiency anaemia.

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) occurs in 2-5% of adult men and postmenopausal women in the developed world and is a common cause of referral to gastroenterologists. Gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss from colonic cancer or gastric cancer, and malabsorption in coeliac disease are the most important causes that need to be sought. DEFINING IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA: The lower limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing the test should be used to define anaemia (B).

A surveillance programme for Barrett's oesophagus in a UK general hospital.

Background: Surveillance programmes for oesophageal cancer in patients with Barrett's columnar-lined oesophagus have reported varying efficacies.

Aim: To review the effectiveness of an endoscopic surveillance programme for patients with Barrett's oesophagus in a UK general hospital.

Methods: Patients with Barrett's oesophagus (> or =3 cm histologically proven columnar-lined oesophagus) were identified from endoscopic and histological records and outcomes recorded when surveillance was performed with 2-yearly endoscopies and quadrantic biopsies at 3 cm intervals.