Optimal management of pernicious anemia

imal management of pernicious anemia Review (2022) Total Article Views Authors: Andres E, Serraj K Published Date September 2012 Volume 2012:3 Pages 97 - 103 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S25620 Received: 21 May 2012 Accepted: 16 August 2012 Published: 10 September 2012 Emmanuel Andres,1,2 Khalid Serraj3 1Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes, and Metabolic Disorders, 2Competence Center of Autoimmune Cytopenias in Adults, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; 3Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Oujda, Oujda, Morocco Abstract: Pernicious anemia (also known as Biermer's disease) is an autoimmune atrophic gastritis, predominantly of the fundus, and is responsible for a deficiency in vitamin B12 (cobalamin) due to its malabsorption. Its prevalence is 0.1% in the general population and 1.9% in subjects over the age of 60 years. Pernicious anemia represents 20%–50% of the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults. Given its polymorphism and broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, pernicious anemia is a great pretender. Its diagnosis must therefore be evoked and considered in the presence of neurological and hematological manifestations of undetermined origin. Biologically, it is characterized by the presence of anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. Treatment is based on the administration of parenteral vitamin B12, although other routes of administration (eg, oral) are currently under study. In the present update, these various aspects are discussed with special emphasis on data of interest to the clinician.