The impact of iron deficiency on patients under evaluation for colorectal cancer, a prospective cross-sectional study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of iron deficiency on fatigue, quality of life, cognition, and physical ability in patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer.
Results Summary
Iron deficiency was not associated with fatigue, quality of life, or cognition but might affect aerobic endurance and peripheral muscle strength to a clinically relevant degree.
Population
Patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer (201 participants, 57% iron deficient).
Effective Dosage
Not mentioned
Duration
Not mentioned
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron deficiency | no change | fatigue | patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer | - | was not associated with | #1 |
iron deficiency | no change | quality of life | patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer | - | was not associated with | #2 |
iron deficiency | no change | cognition | patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer | - | was not associated with | #3 |
iron deficiency | decrease | aerobic endurance | patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer | to a degree that is clinically relevant | might affect | #4 |
iron deficiency | decrease | peripheral muscle strength | patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer | to a degree that is clinically relevant | might affect | #5 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency affects more than 60% of colorectal cancer patients at the time of diagnosis. Iron deficiency ultimately leads to anemia, but additionally, iron deficiency might impact other domains of colorectal cancer patients' health and well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of iron deficiency on fatigue, quality of life, cognition, and physical ability in patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, observational cross-sectional study (2021-2023). Fatigue was the primary outcome, measured using the Focused Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Anemia questionnaire (FACT-An). Quality of Life, Cognition, Aerobe capacity, mobility, and peripheral muscle strength were tested as secondary outcomes. Multivariate analysis was performed to estimate the impact of iron deficiency on all outcomes. RESULTS: Two hundred and one patients were analyzed, 57% being iron deficient. In multivariate regression analysis, iron deficiency was not associated with fatigue: FACT-An ( CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency in patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer was not associated with fatigue, quality of life, or cognition, but might affect aerobic endurance and peripheral muscle strength to a degree that is clinically relevant.