Anemia management in non-menopausal women in a primary care setting: a prospective evaluation of clinical practice.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to analyze anemia management, particularly iron deficiency, in non-pregnant, non-menopausal women aged 18-50 in a French primary care setting.
Results Summary
The study found that 74% of anemic women had iron deficiency, with 47% receiving iron supplementation (80-160 mg daily). However, management was inconsistent, and some women were prescribed higher doses than recommended (max 50 mg daily).
Population
Non-pregnant, non-menopausal women aged 18-50 with anemia in a French primary care setting.
Effective Dosage
80-160 mg of ferrous sulfate daily.
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron-rich diet information and daily iron supplementation of ferrous sulfate | neutral | anemia management | women with iron deficiency | between 80 mg and 160 mg | were informed about and received | #1 |
daily iron supplementation | increase | iron supplementation dose | women with iron deficiency | maximal daily dose of 50 mg of elementary iron | were prescribed higher than recommended | #2 |
BACKGROUND: The study aimed to analyze anemia management in non-pregnant, and non-menopausal women aged from 18 to 50 years old, in a French primary care setting. METHODS: An observational descriptive prospective study was conducted between November 2018 and February 2019. Inclusion criteria were as followed: anemia diagnosed in women aged from 18 to 50, not pregnant and not menopausal. Quantitative and qualitative data were anonymized and collected through an electronic survey. Investigating general practitioners completed the questionnaire for each newly diagnosed woman. Mean values and medians were calculated for the quantitative data. Answers to the open questions were encoded manually and proportions of the different modalities have been calculated. RESULTS: Altogether, 43 women with anemia were ascertained. Moderate microcytic anemia, due to an iron deficiency in a context of menorrhagia, was the most observed anemia profile. The mean value of hemoglobin was 10.5 ± 1 g/dl. Among these women: 32 (74%) presented an iron deficiency, 17 (53%) had inappropriate intakes, and 9 (28%) reported menorrhagia. For 17 (40%) women, unnecessary or inappropriate exams were prescribed. The investigations did not allow to establish a differential diagnosis for 12 women (28%). Even for similar clinical situations, anemia management was variable. Among the women who presented iron deficiency, 15 (47%) were informed about an iron-rich diet and received a daily iron supplementation of ferrous sulfate between 80 mg and 160 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that, in the absence of specific national guidelines for anemia management in non-pregnant, non-menopausal women in primary care settings, French GPs undergo various clinical management strategies leading to a heterogeneous, sometimes inappropriate follow-up. Women with iron deficiency were prescribed higher daily iron supplementation than recommended, according to new evidence, suggesting a maximal daily dose of 50 mg of elementary iron in a context of Hepcidin up-regulation in the case of an iron overload. Additional longitudinal studies with a bigger sample size and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our results and to elaborate national guidelines.