Reviewed on : 14 Sep 2017

Reviewed by : Dr Jayan Mannath, Consultant Gastroenterologist & Clinical Lead for Endoscopy

Expires : 14 Sep 2019

Pernicious anaemia is associated with autoimmune atrophic gastritis which has an increased risk of gastric cancer.

The recommendations are –

• A single endoscopy should be performed to identify prevalent lesions (carcinoid tumours and gastric cancer) in pernicious anaemia.
• Consider 3 yearly endoscopy surveillance in patients with EXTENSIVE gastric atrophy, but not in mild-moderate cases (poor evidence, based on consensus)

In summary, a single endoscopy is reasonable in confirmed Pernicious anaemia and if there are any abnormalities, then further surveillance to be considered on individual case basis.