The Perceived Impact of Iron Deficiency and Iron Therapy Preference in Exercising Females of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Background

Patient perceptions of iron deficiency and efficacy of iron therapy may differ from the interpretations of doctors. Qualitative investigation at an individual level related may help define patient expectations and therapeutic targets. Therefore, we aimed to explore this concept in exercising females of reproductive age.

Methods

Exercising females (n = 403) who either (a) were currently experiencing iron deficiency, or (b) have experienced iron deficiency in the past were included. A survey comprising open-ended text response questions explored three 'domains': (1) the impact of iron deficiency, (2) the impact of iron tablet supplementation (where applicable), and (3) the impact of iron infusion treatment (where applicable). Questions were asked about training, performance, and recovery from exercise. Survey responses were coded according to their content, and sentiment analysis was conducted to assess responses as positive, negative, or neutral.

Results

Exercising females showed negative sentiment toward iron deficiency symptoms (mean range = -0.94 to -0.81), with perception that fatigue significantly impacts performance and recovery. Iron therapies were perceived to improve energy, performance, and recovery time. Participants displayed a strong positive sentiment (mean range = 0.74 to 0.79) toward iron infusion compared to a moderately positive sentiment toward oral iron supplementation (mean range = 0.44 to 0.47), with many participants perceiving that oral iron supplementation had no effect.

Conclusion

In Australia, women prefer an iron infusion in treatment of iron deficiency compared to oral iron.

Informations de copyright

© 2023 Dugan et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

PJ reports personal fees from Vifor Pharma and Pfizer Australia, outside the submitted work. TR reports grants from UK, NIHR HTA, grants from Australian, NHMRC, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Pharmacosmos; grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Vifor Pharma and BioAge Labs; grants from NIHR EME, Pfizer Australia; personal fees from Medtronic; grants from Australian MRFF, outside the submitted work; and TR is a regular speaker at national and international conferences on anaemia, blood transfusion, wound healing and vascular diseases for which he has received expenses for travel, accommodation and sundries. TR has worked with several agencies promoting meetings or healthcare. TR is director of The Iron Clinic Ltd and director of Veincare London Ltd also TR is the Vascular lead for 18-week wait Ltd. No funding was provided by these institutions for this research. The other authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.