Iron deficiency is common and often persistent, says study

Iron deficiency (ID) is common in an American statewide health system, and the time to resolution is prolonged, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in Blood Advances.

Jacob C. Cogan, M.D., from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical record data from a Minnesota statewide health system and identified patients with ID (ferritin level ≤25 ng/mL). Participants had at least one follow-up ferritin level within three years. Resolved ID was classified as having a subsequent ferritin level ≥50 ng/mL. Data were included for 13,084 patients with ID between 2010 and 2020.

The researchers found that 41.9% of patients had resolution within three years of diagnosis (median time to resolution, 1.9 years), and 58.1% had no documented resolution. Age 60 years and older, male sex, and treatment with intravenous iron were factors associated with a greater likelihood of resolution (adjusted hazard ratios, 1.56, 1.58, and 2.96, respectively). A lower likelihood of resolution was seen in association with Black race (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.73).

“Iron deficiency can be challenging to diagnose, but it’s easy to treat,” Cogan said in a statement. “Our findings underscore the need for a more coordinated effort to recognize and treat iron deficiency to help improve quality of life.”

Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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