A retrospective analysis of the women hospitalized and treated due to anemia caused by gynecological pathologies: the role of intravenous iron (ferric carboxymaltose) and blood transfusion in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND

Gynecological pathologies are an important cause of anemia in women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate women who had been hospitalized because of anemia (Hb level <10 g/dL) caused by gynecologic pathologies and treated with either intravenous iron (ferric carboxymaltose) or blood transfusion.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary care center. Women who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of anemia with Hb level<10 g/dL and abnormal uterine bleeding between March 2015- September 2017 in the gynecology clinic were enrolled in the study. Hemoglobin levels, hemoglobin changes, uterine pathology and treatment of patients were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifteen women received red blood cell transfusion and 100 women were treated with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. The mean age of the women was 45.1±6.1 (22-57) years. Although the mean Hb levels were higher in the iv-iron replacement group at the end of the one month (P=0.001), the mean increase in Hb levels was similar between two treatment modalities (P=0.101). Among the anemic women who required surgery, iv iron replacement was the first choice in 75.9% of women; 34.1% received red blood cell transfusion in the preoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

Gynecological pathologies are a common cause of anemia in reproductive age women and intravenous carboxymaltose treatment is a safe and cheaper alternative of blood-transfusion in appropriate cases to elevate the Hb levels in the preoperative period.