Treatment of Iron Deficiency in Women

Identification of SIBO Subtypes along with Nutritional Status and Diet as Key Elements of SIBO Therapy

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a pathology of the small intestine and may predispose individuals to various nutritional deficiencies. Little is known about whether specific subtypes of SIBO, such as the hydrogen-dominant (H+), methane-dominant (M+), or hydrogen/methane-dominant (H+/M+), impact nutritional status and dietary intake in SIBO patients. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlations between biochemical parameters, dietary nutrient intake, and distinct SIBO subtypes. This observational study included 67 patients who were newly diagnosed with SIBO. Biochemical parameters and diet were studied utilizing laboratory tests and food records, respectively. The H+/M+ group was associated with low serum vitamin D (p < 0.001), low serum ferritin (p = 0.001) and low fiber intake (p = 0.001). The M+ group was correlated with high serum folic acid (p = 0.002) and low intakes of fiber (p = 0.001) and lactose (p = 0.002). The H+ group was associated with low lactose intake (p = 0.027). These results suggest that the subtype of SIBO may have varying effects on dietary intake, leading to a range of biochemical deficiencies. Conversely, specific dietary patterns may predispose one to the development of a SIBO subtype. The assessment of nutritional status and diet, along with the diagnosis of SIBO subtypes, are believed to be key components of SIBO therapy.

Dual nature of ferritin for hematologic, liver functional, and metabolic parameters in older diabetic patients

This study explored the association between ferritin with hematologic, liver functional, and metabolic parameters in older diabetic patients. A total of 210 diabetic patients aged 65 or older were classified into four groups according to the reference range of serum ferritin. Demographic variables and health-related lifestyle factors were obtained through the utilization of a standardized questionnaire. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, hematology test, and biochemical assessment were also performed. Among all patients, 29.5% had anemia. The percentage of anemia in groups low ferritin (< 40 μg/L), lower side within the reference range (40-120 μg/L), higher side within the reference range (121-200 μg/L), and high ferritin levels (> 200 μg/L) were 50.0, 27.7, 20.5, and 24.2% (P = 0.025), respectively. Low ferritin levels had a higher risk of anemia and a high red blood cell distribution width (RDW). High ferritin levels were associated with a higher risk of high glutamate pyruvate transaminase, obesity, high fasting blood glucose (FBG), and high postprandial blood glucose. The higher side within the reference range of ferritin also showed a higher risk of high FBG and high glycated hemoglobin. Nevertheless, there was no significant association between ferritin and inflammation marker, serum lipids or blood pressure. Overall, ferritin demonstrates a dual nature in older diabetic patients: low ferritin levels are linked to anemia or elevated RDW, while high levels are linked to obesity, increased liver enzymes, and worse glycemia control.

Treatment of Iron Deficiency with or without Anaemia with Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose in Gynaecological Practices - A Non-Interventional Study

In this multi-centre, prospective, non-interventional study, the effectiveness and tolerance of ferric carboxymaltose (ferinject®; FCM) was tested through use in standard gynaecological practice. In total, data from 273 patients was evaluated. 193 of these patients displayed iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), and 68 had iron deficiency without anaemia (ID). The reasons for the ID/IDA were hypermenorrhoea (HyM) (n = 170), post-partum condition (PP) (n = 53) or another indication (n = 53). The average age of the patients was 40 years old, with 8 % of them being vegetarians. Half of the patients had already been treated for anaemia, primarily with oral iron products (94 %). The primary, serious accompanying symptoms of anaemia were fatigue (72 %), lack of concentration (42 %), pale mucous membranes (42 %), headache (26 %) and sleep disorders (21 %). Only one patient did not show serious symptoms at the start of the study. The most frequent indications for parenteral therapy were the need for rapid iron substitution to reduce symptoms (> 70 %), followed by the lower effectiveness or intolerance of oral products (42 % each) as well as patients not completing the course of treatment with oral products (12 %). Patient information was collected at both the beginning and the end of the observation period, which lasted 15 weeks on average. FCM was most frequently administered via infusion (92 %; average infusion duration 21 minutes). Seven percent of patients received bolus injections. The average total iron dosage per patient was 788.7 mg (median 550 mg; range: 50-3000 mg); the median individual dosage was 500 mg (range: 50-1000 mg). The total dosage was, in most cases, administered through a single application (range: 1-10). Symptoms, blood values (Hb), iron stores (serum-ferritin [S-ferritin]) and transport iron (transferrin saturation [TSAT]) normalised to a large extent. In all subgroups, 92 % of women displayed a marked improvement in all of their symptoms. The average increase in Hb-value in the group as a whole was statistically significant, increasing from 10.5 to 13.0 g/dl. In the group with anaemia, the value increased from 9.9 to 13.3 g/dl, with 80 % of women reaching normal Hb-values. The average S-ferritin value increased by a statistically significant > 70 µg/L from 17.2 to 88.8 µg/l and the value for the TSAT increased from 16.3 % to 22.8 %. Seven patients reported experiencing side effects. None of the results were severe. Overall, as part of this non-interventional study for everyday routine in a gynaecological practice, a rapid improvement in symptoms accompanied by the rectification of iron deficiency and anaemia was shown with low occurrences of mild undesirable events, and therefore the data obtained from controlled clinical studies on the effectiveness and tolerance of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose could be confirmed.