A Study on Association Between Anaemia and Cricoid Webs in Patients with Dysphagia Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chengalpattu District.

Abstract

Dysphagia is defined as having difficulty in swallowing which may affect any part of the swallowing pathway from the mouth to stomach. Oesophageal webs are rare cause of dysphagia. It is found to occur in association with iron deficiency anaemia and dysphagia. Classical features of Plummer Vinson Syndrome include dysphagia, iron deficiency anaemia, oesophageal webs, koilonychia, angular stomatitis. Predominantly affects females past 40 years. Barium swallow and esophagoscopy shows web in the post cricoid region. About 10% of cases with this syndrome will develop post cricoid carcinoma. Treatment is to correct anaemia by oral and parenteral iron. To estimate the occurrence of anaemia and cricoid webs in patients with dysphagia attending ENT OPD in a tertiary care centre. It is a six-month observational study with 186 patients. Patients with dysphagia was further evaluated for anaemia and cricoid webs. A detailed clinical history along with blood investigations and barium swallow was done. In our study out of 186 patients with dysphagia 176 have decreased haemoglobin with decrease in serum iron and serum ferritin levels. Out of 176 only 6 patients have cricoid webs and it is commonly seen in females above 35 years. Plummer-Vinson syndrome is predominantly seen in middle aged women and present with symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia and dysphagia. Iron supplementation alone is helpful in majority of patients. PVS is a precancerous condition with high malignant potential, hence early diagnosis and regular follow up is necessary.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-025-05363-1.