Pernicious Anemia: Gastrointestinal Features

Abstract

Pernicious anemia is one of the many megaloblastic anemias. It is due to a deficiency of vitamin B₁₂, which is itself due loss of gastric parietal cells capable of secreting intrinsic factor. Although often applied to any type of vitamin B₁₂—related anemia, the pernicious anemia specifically refers to the disease associated with atrophic gastritis, parietal cell loss, and lack of intrinsic factor. Because of the location of the disease, there are multiple gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including:

Burning and soreness on anterior portion of the tongue

Change in bowel habits

Anorexia and weight loss

Nonspecific GI symptoms: nausea, vomiting, pyrosis, and a sense of distention