A NEW study by researchers at University of Limerick has found huge numbers are suffering from a condition associated with high rates of hospitalisation, poor quality of life, and even death – a condition which could be treated with simple vitamins – yet still people are not being screened for it.
The study carried out by a team at University of Limerick’s School of Medicine found that substantial numbers of patients in the health system had anaemia, a condition strongly associated with severe health problems and high rates of hospitalisations.
The researchers assembled a cohort of 112,181 patients using data from the National Kidney Disease Surveillance System to assess for anaemia and followed them for up to one year to explore the use of screening tests that check for iron deficiency, B12, and folate deficiency.
“This is the largest study to address the magnitude of anaemia and the extent to which it is investigated in the Irish health system,” said senior investigator and consultant nephrologist Professor Austin Stack, foundation chair of medicine at UL’s School of Medicine.
Anaemia, affecting almost two billion people across the globe, stems from a low level of haemoglobin in the body, is a highly treatable condition that predicts adverse clinical outcomes.
While the study revealed a high number of patients with the condition, it found that there were relatively low rates of screening for simply treatable causes of anaemia, including deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate, and iron.
Prior to the large population-based study, the prevalence of anaemia and information on its underlying causes was largely unknown as data at the national or regional level was limited.
The research, published in the journal BJGP Open, is the largest study ever to explore the burden of anaemia and the extent of investigation for underlying common causes in Ireland.
The study found that 12 per cent of Irish patients had anaemia with one in eight women (13.2 per cent) affected and one in 10 men (10.5 per cent).
The percentage of patients with anaemia was particularly high in elderly patients, and in patients with underlying medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and patients undergoing treatment in specific clinical settings.
Despite the numbers, less than 20 per cent of anaemic patients were tested for deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folic acid, and only one third of all patients was screened for iron deficiency during follow-up.
“Our study reveals a significant burden of anaemia that was present in several high-risk groups, including patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and the elderly. The prevalence of anaemia increased exponentially in older men and women, highlighting their increased vulnerability,” Prof Stack said.
“Patients with advanced kidney disease had nearly eight-fold higher prevalence compared to patients with normal kidney function. Patients who attended the emergency room, outpatient departments, or admitted to hospital were found to be particularly affected, with prevalence ranging from 18 per cent to 29 per cent.”
Anaemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin (an iron-rich protein) to carry oxygen to the cells around the body.
When someone suffers from anaemia, the body does not get enough oxygen in the blood, which can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Professor Stack emphasised the importance of screening for and identifying the underlying cause of anaemia.
“We found that one in three patients had evidence of absolute iron deficiency, 6.3 per cent had B12 deficiency, and a further 5.8 per cent were folate deficient,” he said.
“All these deficiencies are easily treated in modern day clinical practice leading to significant improvement in the degree of anaemia.”
