Iron supplementation for unexplained fatigue in non-anaemic women: double blind randomised placebo controlled trial.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_15C3E94AA29E
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Iron supplementation for unexplained fatigue in non-anaemic women: double blind randomised placebo controlled trial.
Journal
Bmj
Author(s)
Verdon F., Burnand B., Stubi C.L., Bonard C., Graff M., Michaud A., Bischoff T., de Vevey M., Studer J.P., Herzig L., Chapuis C., Tissot J., Pécoud A., Favrat B.
ISSN
1756-1833 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0959-535X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2003
Volume
326
Number
7399
Pages
1124
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Clinical Trial ; Journal Article ; Multicenter Study ; Randomized Controlled Trial ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the subjective response to iron therapy in non-anaemic women with unexplained fatigue.
DESIGN: Double blind randomised placebo controlled trial.
SETTING: Academic primary care centre and eight general practices in western Switzerland.
PARTICIPANTS: 144 women aged 18 to 55, assigned to either oral ferrous sulphate (80 mg/day of elemental iron daily; n=75) or placebo (n=69) for four weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Level of fatigue, measured by a 10 point visual analogue scale.
RESULTS: 136 (94%) women completed the study. Most had a low serum ferritin concentration; <or= 20 microg/l in 69 (51%) women. Mean age, haemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin concentration, level of fatigue, depression, and anxiety were similar in both groups at baseline. Both groups were also similar for compliance and dropout rates. The level of fatigue after one month decreased by -1.82/6.37 points (29%) in the iron group compared with -0.85/6.46 points (13%) in the placebo group (difference 0.95 points, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 1.62; P=0.004). Subgroups analysis showed that only women with ferritin concentrations <or= 50 microg/l improved with oral supplementation.
CONCLUSION: Non-anaemic women with unexplained fatigue may benefit from iron supplementation. The effect may be restricted to women with low or borderline serum ferritin concentrations.
Keywords
Adolescent, Adult, Dietary Supplements, Double-Blind Method, Fatigue/blood, Fatigue/diet therapy, Female, Ferritins/blood, Ferrous Compounds/administration & dosage, Humans, Iron/administration & dosage, Middle Aged, Regression Analysis, Treatment Outcome
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
28/01/2008 11:58
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:45
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