2023-06-28 13:06:21
A recent American study reveals that almost 40% of young women in the United States suffer from iron deficiency, an often overlooked public health problem. This research, one of the first to assess the prevalence of this condition nationwide, underscores the urgency of improving screening and treatment strategies. These results, which might be similar in Europe given the similarity of our lifestyles, might lead to significant changes in the way iron deficiency is tackled and managed.
Iron deficiency is a global public health problem affecting millions of people. It can lead to anemia, chronic fatigue and reduced cognitive abilities, with potentially serious consequences for quality of life and economic productivity. Although this condition is common, it is often overlooked, especially in certain at-risk populations such as young girls and women in financial difficulty.
Recently, a study conducted by the University of Michigan, in the United States, sheds new light on the extent of this problem. She is one of the first to examine the issue on a national scale and warns of the urgency of improving screening and treatment strategies. The study is available in the journal JAMA Network. These findings have major public health implications for the management of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
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An alarming prevalence
The researchers analyzed blood samples and demographic data from nearly 3,500 girls and women between the ages of 12 and 21. They found that almost 40% of girls and women in the United States suffer from iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
This iron deficiency can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, trouble concentrating and hair loss. Additionally, regarding 6% of these people also have iron deficiency anemia, a potentially serious condition where lack of iron causes a reduction in the amount of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.
If left untreated, anemia can lead to an increased risk of infections, as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. Iron deficiency can also cause complications before and following childbirth. Furthermore, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are not limited to the United States, present especially in low-income countries where malnutrition can be high and access to health care is often poor.
The causes of iron deficiency
The causes of this iron deficiency are multiple. One of the main ones is related to food. Indeed, the iron content of the diet in the United States, and elsewhere in the world including Europe, has declined over time. Not to mention that more and more people are adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet, which can contribute to iron deficiency.
Menstruation is also a significant risk factor for both iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. More than a quarter of girls who have not yet started menstruating already show signs of iron deficiency, indicating that factors other than menstruation contribute to the prevalence of this condition.
It’s also important to note that poverty increases the risk of iron deficiency, in part because red meat and other iron-rich foods can be expensive. Food insecurity has also shown an association with iron deficiency anemia. The interaction between the social determinants of health and these conditions is complex. It is therefore essential to take these socio-economic factors into account when developing screening and treatment strategies.
Screening gaps
The results of these studies underscore the need for improved screening strategies and proactive measures to address these health risks. Indeed, a large number of cases of iron deficiency are not associated with iron deficiency anemia, suggesting that current screening practices may be missing a large proportion of individuals with iron deficiency.
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Current screening guidelines, which primarily target preschoolers and pregnant women, may miss a considerable number of individuals with iron deficiency. Therefore, a reassessment of universal screening frequency and criteria, especially for menstruating women, is needed.
To do this, it is essential to better understand iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. The researchers recommend further studies to assess the frequency of universal screening for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in menstruating women and to determine the best ferritin and hemoglobin thresholds.
These studies will also make it possible to identify risk factors and inform screening practices in people who have not yet had their period. Iron deficiency among girls and women in the United States is a public health problem that requires increased attention, as it tends to be confirmed or spread in many other countries.
Source : Jama Network
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