In Clinical

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Correcting anaemia improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding, according to a new study from Finland.

Researchers enrolled 236 women referred to hospitals for heavy menstrual bleeding. At baseline, 27 per cent of women were anaemic (haemoglobin under 120g/L) and 60 per cent were severely iron deficient (ferritin <15mcg/L). Anaemic women showed significant heavier menstrual blood loss (mean 190ml, range 14-742ml) than non-anaemic women (106ml, range 9-707ml). Just 8 per cent of anaemic women had taken iron supplements.

Women randomly received either hysterectomy or a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. Twelve months later, mean haemoglobin had increased from 110g/L to 128g/L in anaemic women and from 131g/L to 136g/L in non- anaemic women, which was still significantly different. After five years, haemoglobin concentrations were 136g/L in both groups. No significant difference in haemoglobin emerged between the two treatments.

Serum ferritin increased in both anaemic and non-anaemic women after treatment. There was no significant difference between the groups after a year, but serum ferritin levels took five years to reach normal concentrations.

Baseline HRQoL did not differ between anaemic and non-anaemic women but improved in both following treatment. However, 12 months after treatment, women who were anaemic at baseline showed increased energy, physical and social functioning, as well as reduced anxiety and depression, compared with non-anaemic women. (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand)

• Mark Greener’s new book, ‘Coping with thyroid disease’, is available from Sheldon Press (www.sheldonpress.com)