Risk factors for gastrointestinal malignancy in patients with iron-deficiency anaemia.

Objectives: Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) is common and may be caused by blood loss from gastrointestinal tumours. The aim of this study was to define risk factors for gastrointestinal malignancy in patients with IDA.

Methods: Patients with suspected IDA referred for gastrointestinal investigations were prospectively identified from two neighbouring UK hospitals (serving a population of 550,000 patients) between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 1999.