Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt.
² Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maadi Armed Forces Medical Complex, Cairo, Egypt.
³ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Gastroenterology, College of Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq.
⁵ Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Tropical Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁷ Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Kasr Al-Aini School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁸ Cancer Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁹ Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / NYC Health + Hospitals Queens, New York, USA. hazemabosheaishaa@gmail.com.
¹⁰ Department of Internal Medicine, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt.
¹¹ Department of Gastroenterology, Prime Institute of Digestive Sciences, Rajkot, India.

PMID: 40802140
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-025-09281-8

Multicenter Study

Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Ahmed Elsayed Alzamzamy et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2025 Oct.

. 2025 Oct;70(10):3419-3424.

doi: 10.1007/s10620-025-09281-8. Epub 2025 Aug 13.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt.
² Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maadi Armed Forces Medical Complex, Cairo, Egypt.
³ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Gastroenterology, College of Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq.
⁵ Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Tropical Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁷ Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Kasr Al-Aini School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁸ Cancer Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁹ Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / NYC Health + Hospitals Queens, New York, USA. hazemabosheaishaa@gmail.com.
¹⁰ Department of Internal Medicine, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt.
¹¹ Department of Gastroenterology, Prime Institute of Digestive Sciences, Rajkot, India.

PMID: 40802140
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-025-09281-8

Abstract

Background: Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a rare disorder characterized by post-cricoid dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and upper esophageal web formation. Despite its clinical significance and potential progression to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), data on PVS remain limited. This study aims to analyze the demographic, clinical, imaging characteristics, and treatment outcomes of PVS across multiple centers.

Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted across seven high-volume tertiary GI endoscopy centers in Egypt, India, and Iraq between 2021 and 2024. Medical records of consecutive patients diagnosed with PVS, based on the presence of post-cricoid dysphagia, IDA, and upper esophageal web, were reviewed. Clinical data, laboratory investigations, imaging findings, and treatment modalities were analyzed.

Results: A total of 56 patients were included, with a mean age of 41 ± 17 years; 80.5% were female. Post-cricoid dysphagia and IDA were present in all cases, with a mean hemoglobin level of 8.2 ± 1.5 g/dL and serum ferritin of 10.34 ± 5.2 ng/mL. Coeliac disease was the most common associated condition (10.7%). Endoscopic dilation was the primary treatment, with Savary-Gilliard bougie dilators used in 89% of cases. A single dilation session was sufficient in 76.8% of patients. During follow-up, 7.1% developed esophageal SCC/dysplasia. No significant post-dilation complications were observed.

Conclusion: PVS predominantly affects middle-aged women and is strongly associated with IDA. Endoscopic dilation is an effective treatment, with most patients responding to a single session. Given the potential risk of malignant transformation, close monitoring is essential. Further research is needed to elucidate pathogenesis and optimize management strategies for PVS.

Keywords: Dysphagia; Endoscopic dilation; Esophageal cancer; Esophageal web; Iron deficiency anemia; Plummer-Vinson syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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1. Enomoto M, Kohmoto M, Arafa UA et al. Plummer-Vinson syndrome successfully treated by endoscopic dilatation. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007;22:2348–2351. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.03430.x . - DOI - PubMed
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Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Affiliations

Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Medical

Research Materials