{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The impact of iron deficiency on patients under evaluation for colorectal cancer, a prospective cross-sectional study.
{Author}: Ploug M;Qvist N;Jacobsen BG;Kroijer R;Nielsen J;Knudsen T;
{Journal}: Scand J Gastroenterol
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 10
{Factor}: 3.027
{DOI}: 10.1080/00365521.2024.2373117
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Iron deficiency affects more than 60% of colorectal cancer patients at the time of diagnosis. Iron deficiency ultimately leads to anemia, but additionally, iron deficiency might impact other domains of colorectal cancer patients' health and well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of iron deficiency on fatigue, quality of life, cognition, and physical ability in patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Multicenter, prospective, observational cross-sectional study (2021-2023). Fatigue was the primary outcome, measured using the Focused Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Anemia questionnaire (FACT-An). Quality of Life, Cognition, Aerobe capacity, mobility, and peripheral muscle strength were tested as secondary outcomes. Multivariate analysis was performed to estimate the impact of iron deficiency on all outcomes.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Two hundred and one patients were analyzed, 57% being iron deficient. In multivariate regression analysis, iron deficiency was not associated with fatigue: FACT-An (r = -1.17, p = 0.57, 25% CI: -5.27 to 2.92). Results on quality of life, cognition, and mobility were non-significant and with small regression coefficients. Iron deficiency showed a nearly significant association with reduced hand-grip-strength (r = -3.47 kg, p = 0.06, 25%CI -7.03 to 0.08) and reduced 6 min walking distance (r = -40.36 m, p = 0.07, 25%CI: -84.73 to 4.00).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Iron deficiency in patients undergoing evaluation for colorectal cancer was not associated with fatigue, quality of life, or cognition, but might affect aerobic endurance and peripheral muscle strength to a degree that is clinically relevant.