Anemia visits and clinical patterns after identification of low hemoglobin at health checkups among women of reproductive age in Japan: a real-world claims and health checkup data study (AWARD study).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the status of anemia visits (doctor visits made with patients' intent to response to identification of low hemoglobin [Hb] levels at health checkups) and characterize the diagnosis and treatment pattern among women of reproductive age in Japan.

METHODS

This claims-based cohort study used data from the DeSC Healthcare database. Women aged 18-49 years who had an Hb level of <12.0 g/dL at a health checkup from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, were included. The time to anemia visit, as well as anemia-related diagnoses, specialties, tests, and treatments, were summarized using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The study included 6,041 subjects in the final analysis. During the follow-up period, 2,370 (39.2%) of them received an anemia-related diagnosis, and among these, 1,950 (82.3%) received anemia-related treatment. Iron-deficiency anemia was the most frequently diagnosed anemia in both internal medicine and OB/GYN specialties. A marked increase in anemia visits was observed immediately after the index date among the 30-39 and 40-49-year age groups and those with Hb <11.0 g/dL. Approximately 70% of them visited only one specialty or institution during the follow-up period. Patients who had anemia visits and received anemia-related diagnoses, and especially those who received treatment, showed greater increases in Hb levels and higher proportions of normal Hb values (Hb ≥12.0 g/dL) at the next annual checkup.

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize the importance of anemia visits after dentification of low Hb at health checkups among reproductive-age women in Japan. Further research is needed to confirm these observations.