Fibromyalgia, Iron Deficiency
Conditions
Keywords
iron deficiency, fibromyalgia, iron infusion therapy, chronic pain, pain management, diet, sex and gender, women's health, serotonin
Brief summary
The goal of this study is to measure the proportion of patients who have iron deficiency and if iron deficiency is treated what is the outcome. Participants will fill out a questionnaire to assess positive impact of iron supplementation treatment to assess whether they are at potential risk of iron deficiency
Detailed description
The study is an observational clinical audit, with an unblinded clinical intervention. Iron deficiency and some chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia are more common in women of reproductive age. Iron deficiency can present with symptoms that are similar to those of fibromyalgia, but once recognized, iron deficiency is typically easily treated. The investigators intend to poll patients at the DeGroote Pain Clinic based on information from studies conducted in Australia and Great Britain. The investigators will determine who is at risk for iron deficiency based upon symptoms such as heavy periods, history of pregnancy, blood donation, diet, and any previous iron deficiency. The investigators will then confirm the results with lab testing, and provide treatment if necessary. The goal is to find out the percentage of women with chronic pain who also have iron deficiency, and assess the effect of treating iron deficiency on their pain symptoms.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
McMaster University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
OTHER
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patient at the DeGroote Pain Clinic * Menstruating women between the ages of 18-49 * Willingness to complete the questionnaire, and undergo laboratory tests if indicated.
Exclusion criteria
* The only
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of patients at risk of iron deficiency at the DeGroote Pain Clinic | from enrollment to end of treatment after 3 months | Our primary outcome is the proportion of the 81 patients who are at risk of iron deficiency. This will be measured through positive questionnaire responses with symptoms/conditions that indicate risk of iron deficiency. Women patients arriving for pain clinic visits will be asked if they wish to participate in this audit and complete a screening questionnaire.The questionnaire determines high risk for Iron Deficiency through known risk factors: heavy menstrual bleeding, previous iron status, and iron supplementation. Previous studies identified heavy menstrual bleeding as a significant predictor of anemia and progression into ID.7 Patients were asked to report any of the four major symptoms (need double sanitary protection, need to frequently change your protection, had or worried about flooding through to clothes or bedding, pass large blood clots.), with a yes to 2 or more being considered to describe heavy menstrual bleeding and therefore high risk for experiencing iron deficiency. |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed