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Effect of iron therapy on fatigue symptoms in non-anaemic iron deficient women of reproductive age- A Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • 2026-01-01
  • JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 76(1)
    • Nayyer Sultana
    • Fariha Aslam Bajwa
    • Mirza Zeeshan Sikandar
    • Muhammad Mahtab Haider
    • Tayyaba Majeed

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 164
Population
non-anaemic iron-deficient women of reproductive age
Methods
double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial, subjects randomised into Group 1 receiving iron therapy and group 2 receiving placebo
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
2 months
  • Large Human Trial

Objective

To assess the effect of iron therapy on fatigue symptoms in non-anaemic iron-deficient women of reproductive age.

Methods

The double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial was conducted at the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Central Park Teaching Hospital, Lahore from March 2023 to February 2024 and comprised women aged 18-45 years who were non-anaemic, had haemoglobin level >11g/dl a fatigue score of at least 36, and a low serum ferritin level. Socio-demographic data was recorded. The subjects were randomised into Group 1 receiving iron therapy and group 2 receiving placebo. After 2 months of intervention, the fatigue scores, haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were assessed again, and compared with baseline values. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.

Results

Of the 164 subjects, 86(52.4%) were in Group 1 with mean age 30.70±18.123 years, and 78(47.6%) were in Group 2 with mean age 29.46±7.99 years (p=0.325). In Group 1, significant decrease in fatigue score and significant increase in ferritin and haemoglobin levels were noted post-intervention (p=0.05).

Conclusions

Iron supplementation alleviated fatigue and enhanced serum ferritin concentration in non-anaemic, iron-deficient women of childbearing age.

Research Insights

  • Iron→Increased Ferritin Level

    In Group 1, significant decrease in fatigue score and significant increase in ferritin and haemoglobin levels were noted post-intervention (p=0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Iron→Increased Hemoglobin Levels

    In Group 1, significant decrease in fatigue score and significant increase in ferritin and haemoglobin levels were noted post-intervention (p=0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Iron→Reduced Fatigue Score

    In Group 1, significant decrease in fatigue score and significant increase in ferritin and haemoglobin levels were noted post-intervention (p=0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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