Nutritional Advice El Mondo
Objectives:
Iron deficiency is a prevalent nutritional disease and fatigue is a common complaint in the general and patient population, however, the association between iron deficiency without anaemia (IDNA) and fatigue is unclear. Therefore, this review article (meta-analysis) has been conducted.
Does improving iron status decrease fatigue in patients with iron deficiency without anaemia?
Study design:
This review article included a total of 6 RCTs and 6 cross-sectional studies.
Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in the meta-analysis of 6 RCTs, a significant therapeutic effect of iron supplements in fatigue patients with iron deficiency without anaemia [pooled effect size = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.48, I2 = 0.0%, p 0.0001]. A sensitivity analysis found that the overall results (i.e. significant association) were robust.
The investigators found in the meta-analysis of 6 cross-sectional studies, a non-significant therapeutic effect of iron supplements in fatigue patients with iron deficiency without anaemia [pooled effect size = 0.10, 95% CI = -0.11 to 0.31, I2 = 57.4%, p = 0.362]. A sensitivity analysis found that the overall results (i.e. no significant association) were not robust, however, removal of one study made the outcomes significant.
The investigators concluded improving iron status decreases fatigue in patients with iron deficiency without anaemia. However, further research is necessary to identify diagnostic criteria for selecting fatigue patients who might benefit from iron therapy and to assess the prevalence of patients with iron deficiency without anaemia in the general population.
Original title:
Iron deficiency without anaemia is a potential cause of fatigue: meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and cross-sectional studies by Yokoi K and Konomi A.
Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28625177
Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on iron right here.