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Absolute and Functional Iron Deficiency in the US, 2017-2020
Yahya M K Tawfik1,2, Hayley Billingsley3, Ankeet S Bhatt4
1Department of Pharmacy Services, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
JAMA Network Open
|September 24, 2024
Summary
Absolute and functional iron deficiency are common in US adults, affecting 14% and 15% respectively. These deficiencies persist even without anemia or other major health conditions, highlighting a need for better screening.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- The prevalence of absolute and functional iron deficiency in the US adult population remains largely unknown.
- Understanding these deficiencies is crucial for public health initiatives and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of absolute and functional iron deficiency in US adults.
- To analyze prevalence across different age, sex, and comorbidity categories.
- To assess iron supplement use among those with iron deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020 data.
- Inclusion of noninstitutionalized civilian adults aged 18+ with available iron status biomarkers.
- Prevalence estimation using weighted data and Korn-Graubard method for 95% CIs.
Main Results:
- An estimated 14% of US adults have absolute iron deficiency and 15% have functional iron deficiency.
- Functional iron deficiency was more prevalent than absolute iron deficiency in most demographics, except women under 50.
- Iron deficiency was prevalent even in adults without anemia, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.
Conclusions:
- Absolute and functional iron deficiency affect a significant portion of American adults, independent of common comorbidities.
- Further research is warranted to explore the impact of functional iron deficiency on health outcomes.
- The findings suggest a need to re-evaluate current iron deficiency screening strategies.
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