Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the adult omani population

Context: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adults from the Sultanate of Oman is unknown. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IDA and latent iron deficiency (ID) in students admitted to a university hospital. Settings and Design: This is a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Subjects and Methods: In asymptomatic university students, blood samples were obtained for blood counts and iron status after obtaining consent. Students who were found to have IDA or ID were given oral iron therapy for a minimum of 3 months to study the response to treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test (continuous variables) and Chi-square test (categorical variable) were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age + standard deviation was 21 + 1.3 years with a range from 17 to 29 years in 350 students, with 274 students being females (78.8%). Using the World Health Organization criteria, 91 (26%), 133 (38%), and 126 (36%) students, respectively, were classified as IDA, ID, and normal. HPLC showed that 28 students had sickle cell trait (HbS: 26%–35%), and one each had sickle cell disease (HbS 92%), Hb C trait (31%), Hb D trait (30%), Hb E trait (19%), and delta gene variant (HbA2 – 1.6%). Among the students who received treatment (52 IDA and 20 ID), Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and serum ferritin showed statistically significant improvement after oral iron therapy (P < 0.001, paired Student's t-test). Conclusions: The prevalence of IDA was 26% and that of ID was 38%, with a preponderance of females.