None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Approximately 30% of the world’s population suffer from anaemia, a condition characterised by decreased levels of red blood cells in the blood, resulting in a reduced capacity to carry oxygen. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common type of anaemia and is often overlooked, especially in people with chronic conditions. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency without anaemia and IDA in patients with chronic pain. Patients with chronic pain can present with chronic inflammatory conditions and often experience a reduced health-related quality of life which is an important target of therapeutic interventions. Iron deficiency, even in the absence of anaemia, can be debilitating, and may exacerbate any underlying chronic disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The most common symptoms of IDA are fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, lethargy, but it is hypothesised that IDA can also lead to pain. Treatment for this form of anaemia is simple, effective and safe. We hypothesise that chronic pain patients may contribute to a higher prevalence of IDA.
Interventions
Patients presenting to the RBWH Professor Tess Cramond Multidisciplinary Pain Centre for treatment of a chronic pain condition that they have had for more than 12 months in duration, will be identified by trained research personnel and chronic pain personnel. Patients will be recruited in the clinic or identified prior to their scheduled appointment and telephoned to discuss their potential participation in the study, discuss any concerns, and gain their verbal consent to approach the patient on
Patients presenting to the RBWH Professor Tess Cramond Multidisciplinary Pain Centre for treatment of a chronic pain condition that they have had for more than 12 months in duration, will be identified by trained research personnel and chronic pain personnel. Patients will be recruited in the clinic or identified prior to their scheduled appointment and telephoned to discuss their potential participation in the study, discuss any concerns, and gain their verbal consent to approach the patient on the day of their outpatients’ appointment. Information to be discussed includes details of the Patient Information Sheet and a telephone script has been designed for this purpose. The phone calls will be conducted by trained research personnel. On the appointment day, the patient will sign the consent form if agreeable, and will receive a copy of Patient Information Form and signed consent. Data collection and blood sampling (Pathology) will be performed. All data points will be recorded in REDCap, a secure electronic data program. Each patient will have pain measured on the visual analogue scale, fatigue levels measured with the FACIT score which will take 5 minutes to complete, and a blood sample taken for iron studies. Blood sampling will be obtained via routine venepuncture methods in line with hospital policy. This data will be used to calculate current pain levels, fatigue scores and iron levels in combination to determine the relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and chronic pain.
Sponsors
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Patients equal to or older than 18 years of age. Patient experiencing Chronic pain for more than 12 months
Exclusion criteria
Patients with known or suspected blood disorders Pregnancy Known medication with iron supplements including intravenous iron Surgery within the last 6 months
Outcome results
None listed