Iron deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia in obese patients

Abstract

Background. The association between obesity and different types of anemia remained uncertain. The present study aimed to assess the relation between obesity parameters and the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia and also megaloblastic anemia among Iranian population.Methods and Materials. This cross-sectional study was performed on 1252 patients with morbid obesity that randomly selected from all patients referred to Clinic of obesity at Rasoul-eAkram Hospital in 2014. The morbid obesity was defined according to the guideline as body mass index (BMI) equal to or higher than 40 kg/m 2 . Various laboratory parameters including serum levels of hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, folic acid, and vitamin B12 were assessed using the standard laboratory techniques.Results. BMI was adversely associated with serum vitamin B12, but not associated with other hematologic parameters. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 9.8%. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was independent to patients' age and also to body mass index. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was totally 20.9%. According to the multivariable logistic regression model, no association was revealed between BMI and the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia adjusting gender and age. A similar regression model showed that higher BMI could predict occurrence of vitamin B12 deficiency in morbid obese patients.Conclusion. Although iron deficiency is a common finding among obese patients, vitamin B12 deficiency is more frequent so about one-fifth of these patients suffer vitamin B12 deficiency. In fact, the exacerbation of obesity can result in exacerbation of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Anemia risk factors among people living with HIV across the United States in the current treatment era: a clinical cohort study

“…Furthermore, the current recommended treatment for chronic HCV has known side effects of reduced hemoglobin levels and reversible anemia [25,26]. Additionally, high BMI has been associated with iron [28] and vitamin B12 deficiencies [29] and a lower chance of recovery from anemia among PLWH [30]. However, we did not find strong evidence in the present study that BMI is associated with anemia risk.…”

Markers of Anemia in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

“…Nevertheless, the inverse association could be confirmed. We did not reveal a direct relation between BMI SDS and iron concentration, which is similar to the results of other publications [ 22 ]. The results revealed, however, a positive association of BMI SDS and TIBC, a parameter often used in iron metabolism disorders, and an inverse relation with MCHC.…”

“…In our study BMI SDS values correlated negatively with vitamin B12 concentrations. This is unequivocal with the results of analyses of 1252 patients of an obesity clinic, who were diagnosed with severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m 2 ) [ 22 ]. The authors revealed also a negative association of BMI and vitamin B12 levels.…”

“…In the mentioned study, vitamin B12 deficiency was revealed in as many as 20.9%. It is interesting that iron deficiency in this group of patients was present in only 9.8% subjects [ 22 ]. Taking into consideration the above information in obese patients, in the first line, not iron deficiency but rather vitamin B12 deficiency should be suspected.…”

The prevalence and correlates of the double burden of malnutrition among women in Ghana

“…Among Indonesian and Ghanaian pregnant women, those with a high BMI were less likely to be anaemic [16], but in Mexico, obese women were more likely to be anaemic [17]. In Iran, there was no association between overweight/obesity and anaemia [18]. However, evidence of the association between BMI status and anaemia among non-pregnant women is non-existent in the Ghanaian context.…”