21.   We know the yield of routine investigations in iron deficiency anaemia but do not know the outcome in those with no detected cause.

22.   The need for sigmoidoscopy in patients with obscure iron deficiency anaemia is contentious.

23.   One surprising finding emerging from this study is the existence of a common but unrecognised entity -- transient cryptogenic iron deficiency anaemia.

24.   Most tumours presenting with iron deficiency anaemia are found on the right side of the colon.

25.   Bleeding adenomata can present with iron deficiency anaemia and should be resected.

26.   Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia often presents with iron deficiency anaemia although it can be usually diagnosed on clinical examination.

27.   Therefore sigmoidoscopy should be mandatory as part of the investigation of patients with iron deficiency anaemia.

28.   A study of elderly hospital inpatients with iron deficiency anaemia found a high incidence of dual pathology when both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts were examined.

29.   Severe erosive oesophagitis may be a cause of iron deficiency anaemia but hiatus hernia alone seems unlikely to cause iron deficiency anaemia.

30.   It is important to remember that coeliac disease can present at any age and that iron deficiency anaemia may be the only presenting symptom.