[Extra-intestinal complications of ulcerative colitis: hematologic complication].

Iron deficiency anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, folic acid deficiency megaloblastic anemia, granulocytopenia, acute or chronic leukemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura have been reported as blood diseases among the extra-intestinal complications with ulcerative colitis until now. Iron deficiency anemia is most frequently seen, and it often derives from apparent or inapparent continuous gastrointestinal bleeding. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia produces antierythrocyte membrane autoantibody while idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura produces antithrombocyte autoantibody leading to anemia or thrombocytopenia. For folic acid deficiency megaloblastic anemia and granulocytopenia, adverse reaction of sulfasalazine being administered to the patients with ulcerative colitis has been pointed out. While the cases with acute or chronic leukemia are reported increasingly, its cause is still unknown. For treatment of ulcerative colitis, it is considered necessary to find blood complications by carrying out general examinations of peripheral blood and examinations of blood picture, serum iron and folic acid routinely.