Vitamin D Status in Egyptian Adolescent Females with Iron Deficiency Anemia and Its Correlation with Serum Iron Indices

Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: Potential Risk Factors in Bone Loss

Iron is one of the essential mineral elements for the human body and this nutrient deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Iron is essential in oxygen transport, participates in many enzyme systems in the body, and is an important trace element in maintaining basic cellular life activities. Iron also plays an important role in collagen synthesis and vitamin D metabolism. Therefore, decrease in intracellular iron can lead to disturbance in the activity and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, resulting in imbalance in bone homeostasis and ultimately bone loss. Indeed, iron deficiency, with or without anemia, leads to osteopenia or osteoporosis, which has been revealed by numerous clinical observations and animal studies. This review presents current knowledge on iron metabolism under iron deficiency states and the diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). With emphasis, studies related to iron deficiency and bone loss are discussed, and the potential mechanisms of iron deficiency leading to bone loss are analyzed. Finally, several measures to promote complete recovery and prevention of iron deficiency are listed to improve quality of life, including bone health.

Patterns of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, Calcium Status, and Anemia in the Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence suggests an intricate relationship between vitamin D, Ca²⁺, and inflammation-driven anemia. We, thus, investigated the patterns of serum 25(OH)D₃, Ca²⁺, ferritin, and iron in healthy and anemic members of the Saudi population.

METHODS

A population-based, retrospective, cross-sectional study was designed to analyze data for 14,229 subjects, aged 3-110 years, obtained from Al-Borg Medical Laboratories, over a six-year period (2014-2020). Gender and age differences were analyzed for 25(OH)D₃, Ca²⁺, hemoglobin, ferritin, and iron.

RESULTS

Vitamin D deficiency was extremely prevalent (98.47%) irrespective of age or gender, despite an increasing trend with age, in clear contrast to serum Ca²⁺. Ferritin was significantly lower in young adult and adult females, compared to elderly females, whereas iron was significantly reduced in females; in particular, adult females compared to young adults or elderly adults. Only anemic adult males had significantly lower 25(OH)D₃, while Ca²⁺ was consistently significantly diminished in anemics of all age groups, independent of gender. Notably, hypocalcemic subjects were 2.36 times more likely to be anemic. Moreover, ferritin, but not iron, was significantly diminished in anemics, which was only evident in young adults and adults. However, both ferritin and iron showed positive correlation with hematocrit, hemoglobin, MCH, MCHC, and MCV.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being significantly lower in anemics, 25(OH)D₃ is not particularly associated with anemia, while hypocalcemia is associated with an increased risk for anemia. Assessment of vitamin D and Ca²⁺ status may be valuable in the clinical management of anemia in the Saudi population.

Diagnostic and therapeutic implications of vitamin D deficiency in patients with warts: A case-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous warts are frequent conditions that possess much challenge to treat.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the potential role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of viral warts by measuring the serum levels of vitamin D in patients diagnosed with viral warts compared to healthy controls and to verify whether oral vitamin D supplementation of those vitamin D-deficient patients would result in wart clearance.

METHODS

To evaluate the serum vitamin D levels, the study recruited 80 subjects, including 40 patients diagnosed with viral warts and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and examination to detect duration and type of warts. Serum vitamin D levels were measured using ELISA.

RESULTS

Thirty-five percent of patients had sufficient vitamin D levels (54-90 nmol/L), and 40% of patients had insufficient levels (50-80 nmol/L), while 25% of them had deficient levels (<50 nmol/L). In healthy group, 30% had sufficient levels, and 45% had insufficient levels, while 25% had deficient levels. There was an insignificantly lower serum level of vitamin D as well as an insignificantly deficient vitamin D status among patients compared to healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D serum levels appear to be lower among viral wart patients, and oral supplementation studies need to be more intensely investigated before elucidating its role; if any, in wart clearance.

Are Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region on Track towards Meeting the World Health Assembly Target for Anemia? A Review of Evidence

Anemia is a multifactorial condition, with a complex etiology that involves nutritional and non-nutritional factors. The misconception that iron deficiency is equivalent to anemia may mask the need to address other potential causative factors. This review paper aims to (1) assess the burden of anemia vs. iron deficiency anemia (IDA) amongst women of reproductive age (WRA), pregnant women (PW), and children under five years old (underfive children, U5C) in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR); (2) evaluate trends in anemia prevalence and whether countries are on track towards meeting the World Health Assembly (WHA) target for 2025; and (3) characterize anemia reduction efforts and provide a road map for future programs. A search of pertinent literature and databases was conducted. Anemia prevalence in the EMR ranged between 22.6% and 63% amongst PW, 27% and 69.6% amongst WRA, and 23.8% and 83.5% amongst U5C. Data showed that the EMR is not on course towards meeting the WHA target. The contribution of IDA to anemia was found to be less than half. Other potential contributors to anemia in the region were identified, including micronutrient deficiencies, parasitic infestations, and poor sanitation. A framework of action was proposed as a roadmap to meet the targets set by the WHA.