---

Iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women: Clinical considerations from an expert consensus

---

Original Article

Author Details : Alpesh Gandhi, Suchitra Pandit, Jaideep Malhotra, Madhuri Joshi, Janaki Desai, Parag Biniwale, Vaishali Deshmukh, Shiva Singh Shekhawat, Mamata Sarmah, Vinod Malve*

Volume : 9, Issue : 2, Year : 2022

Article Page : 153-161

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijogr.2022.032

Suggest article by email

Get Permission

---

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) are usually anticipated to occur during and after pregnancy. Peri-menopausal women are at risk of ID/IDA & warrant attention as the symptoms of ID can be misinterpreted or overlooked. Scientific literatures convey iron deficiency to be considered as a major health problem for perimenopausal women. However, Indian evidence on ‘Iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women’ is scarce.
Aim: The aim of this article is to understand the impact of iron deficiency on health of peri-menopausal women in India and to understand its important clinical considerations. Developing an expert consensus towards diagnosis & management of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in this population is the need of the hour.
Materials and Methods: A 3-step modified Delphi method was used to build up the consensus. Nine experts representing gynaecology and endocrinology were invited to participate in the panel discussion. Session was being moderated by a senior gynaecologist. In round 1 – the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in perimenopausal women and risk factors of iron deficiency anemia were discussed. The panel members asked polling questions and each member’s response to the poll question was recorded. The same voting method was used in round 2 and 3, which discussed the diagnosis and management, respectively.
Results: In round 1, round 2 and round 3 statements reached consensus. Consensus was attained for eleven statements representing four different domains: prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.
Conclusion: This consensus guideline will help to standardize care, provide guidance on screening and treatment of iron deficiency anemia in perimenopausal women. This will also assist in clinical decision-making for all healthcare professionals.
 

Keywords: Consensus, Delphi technique, Experts, Iron deficiency anemia, Perimenopausal women.

How to cite : Gandhi A, Pandit S, Malhotra J, Joshi M, Desai J, Biniwale P, Deshmukh V, Shekhawat S S, Sarmah M, Malve V, Iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women: Clinical considerations from an expert consensus. Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res 2022;9(2):153-161

This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.