Coexistent Pernicious Anemia and Malabsorption in Four Patients

Abstract

Evaluation of patients with megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency includes absorption studies using radioactive labeled vitamin B₁₂ and intrinsic factor. These studies are performed not only to prove or disprove a vitamin B₁₂ absorptive defect but also to distinguish between gastric intrinsic factor lack and small bowel dysfunction as etiologies for this absorptive defect. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is generally regarded as due to either one of these two factors. This report presents three patients in whom pernicious anemia and small bowel lesions associated with small intestinal malabsorption of vitamin B₁₂ coexisted, and a fourth in whom pernicious anemia