[Iron deficiency in reproductive age university women at the School of Medicine, Uruguay].

INTRODUCTION

Disorders of iron metabolism are very common pathological conditions. Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is estimated to affect more than 2 billion people.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia and their predisposing factors in a group of premenopausal women, university students of the School of Medicine of the University of the Republic in Uruguay.

METHODS

An observational cross-sectional study was carried out, including women of reproductive age, university students of the Faculty of Medicine. They were interviewed in order to collect clinical data and monthly menstrual volume was recorded through a pictogram. A hemogram was performed and ferritin levels were determined.

RESULTS

196 women aged from 18 to 37 years were included. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 8.7% (n = 17) and the prevalence of anemia was 2.1% (n = 4). The presence of iron deficiency was associated with a lower consumption of red meat (p = 0.024), a higher menstrual volume (p = 0.018) and a higher frequency of abnormal uterine bleeding (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the high frequency of iron deficiency in healthy women in relation to abnormal uterine bleeding and low consumption of red meat, which raises the need to implement programs that promote educational measures in order to promote early consultation and avoid anemia and iron deficiency in these women of reproductive age.