Side Effects and Treatment Discontinuation in Women Receiving Oral Iron Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study
Haseki Tip Bulteni, cilt.64, sa.3, ss.176-185, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 64 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/haseki.galenos.2026.72692
- Dergi Adı: Haseki Tip Bulteni
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.176-185
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Anemia, iron, iron-deficiency, medication adherence, pregnancy, treatment outcome
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Aim: Iron deficiency anemia remains a common global health problem, particularly affecting women owing to reproductive and nutritional factors. This study aims to assess the use of iron preparations, their side-effect profiles, and their impact on treatment adherence among women in Türkiye. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional analytical study between October 1 and November 30, 2023. A total of 270 female patients receiving iron replacement therapy for at least one month were included in the study. A structured 20-item questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, iron preparations, side effects, and treatment adherence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of treatment discontinuation. Results: Nausea was the most frequently reported cause of medication discontinuation (84.0%) and of switching (73.4%). Iron (III) polymaltose complex was associated with the highest rates of side effects (55.6% reported dyspeptic complaints) and treatment discontinuation (88.9%). The tablet formulation substantially increased the risk of treatment discontinuation by approximately ninefold overall and by about 5.6 fold due to side effects. Each additional year of age increased the odds of discontinuation by 10.4% (odds ratio 1.104; 95% confidence interval 1.062-1.146; p<0.001). Non pregnant women experienced higher rates of side effects, treatment discontinuation (47.2% vs. 30.9%), and medication changes (38.9% vs. 25.3%) than pregnant women (p=0,007; p=0.018). Conclusion: These findings support the need for personalized treatment strategies that consider factors such as age, pregnancy status, and formulation type to improve adherence and minimize treatment discontinuation.