Plummer-Vinson syndrome causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Akshun Kalia M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
The cause of Plummer-Vinson syndrome is unknown; however, iron deficiency anemia, genetic factors and nutritional deficiencies may play a role. Iron deficiency anemia is the most widely regarded cause of Plummer-Vinson syndrome and can be due to increased iron demand, decreased intake and malabsorption syndromes.
Causes
The cause of Plummer-Vinson syndrome is unknown; however, iron deficiency anemia, genetic factors and nutritional deficiencies may play a role. Iron deficiency anemia is the most widely regarded cause of Plummer-Vinson syndrome and can be due to:
Common causes
Common causes of iron deficiency anemia associated with Plummer-Vinson syndrome include conditions which lead to iron demand, decreased intake and malabsorption syndromes. These conditions are described below:
- Physiological conditions with increased iron requirements such as:
- Conditions promoting blood loss leads to an increased demand of iron by the body. These include:
- Menstruation
- Gastrointestinal tract disorders such as:
- Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcers)
- Hemorrhoids
- Esophageal varices
- NSAIDs (aspirin,ibuprofen)
- Cancer of esophagus, stomach, or colon
- Hookworms
- Genitourinary tract disorders such as:
- Glomerulonephritis
- Renal calculi
- Renal or bladder carcinoma
- Hemoptysis (alveolar hemorrhage)
- Nosocomial blood loss: phlebotomy for diagnostic tests in hospitalized patients
- Following gastric or small bowel surgery: due to loss of gastric acidity, increased transit time for food, and decreased absorption of iron
- Conditions leading to impaired iron absorption
- Celiac disease
- Tropical sprue
- Gastric surgery
- Hypochlorhydria
- Taking too many antacids that contain calcium
- Whipple disease
- Kwashiorkor disease
- Alcoholism
Less common causes
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (recurrent hemorrhage)
- Intravascular hemolysis (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria)
- Iatrogenic causes such as frequent blood draws, particularly in hospitalized patients
- Inadequate diet in children (excessive consumption of whole cow's milk)