Prediction of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Third Trimester of Pregnancy Based on Data in the First Trimester: A Prospective Cohort Study in a High-Income Country.

Background: Systematic iron supplementation may be harmful in pregnant women with non-depleted iron. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of anemia at the third trimester of pregnancy (T3) and to identify the parameters at the first trimester (T1), which best predict anemia at T3. Methods: This prospective cohort study in France included pregnant women at T1 without non-iron deficiency anemia. Clinical and social characteristics, health-related quality of life, blood count, and a frozen blood sample were collected at T1 and/or T3. Secondly, a matched nested case−control study was built for women with anemia at T3 but not at T1. Multivariate analyses and ROC curves were used to identify the best predictive parameter(s) of anemia at T3. Results: The prevalence of anemia at T3 in the cohort (629 women) was 21.9% (95% CI 18.7−25.2%). In the matched nested case−control study (256 women), hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF) and the SF/soluble transferrin receptor ratio at T1 were predictive of anemia at T3 (p < 0.001); however, clinical and social characteristics, as serum hepcidin were not. In multivariate analyses, Hb at T1 was the best predictive biomarker of anemia at T3 with a cut-off value of 120 g/L (specificity 87.5%). Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia at the end of pregnancy remained high in a High-Income Country. Clinical, social, and biochemical parameters did not seem useful to predict anemia at T3 and could not guide iron supplementation. We suggest systematically performing a simple blood count in the first trimester of pregnancy and offering oral iron supplementation for women with Hb < 120 g/L.

Non-anemic iron deficiency: correlations between symptoms and iron status parameters.

OBJECTIVES: To register all symptoms reported by non-anemic menstruating women, and examine the links between these symptoms and iron status parameters available including serum ferritin (SF) in primary care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we collected clinical and biological data from 780 French menstruating women aged 18-50 years. The data included an anonymous questionnaire (biometric information, physical and cognitive symptoms, reduction in physical performance, current quality of life with SF-36 questionnaire) and seven biological parameters available in primary care. We excluded women with anemia (hemoglobin < 12 g/dl) or chronic disease. Correlations were studied for 554 participants in bivariate analysis (BVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA), with adjusted odds ratio (OR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were established for significant correlations in MVA (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Among these 554 non-anemic women included, 304 (54.9%) had SF level below 50 µg/l, 103 (18.6%) had SF level below 20 µg/l, and 60 (10.8%) had SF level below 15 µg/l. Iron deficiency was significantly correlated with recent hair loss for SF ≤ 15 µg/l (OR = 2.19 with p = 0.02 in MVA) and SF ≤ 20 µg/l (OR = 2.26 with p < 0.01 in MVA). SF ≤ 20 µg/l was also correlated with limitations due to emotional problems according to SF-36 questionnaire (p = 0.01 in MVA). SF ≤ 50 µg/l was significantly correlated with restless legs syndrome (OR = 2.82 with p = 0.01 in MVA). Only one ROC curve for restless legs syndrome could suggest an optimal SF cut-off point at 39 µg/l (sensitivity 73%, specificity 61%). CONCLUSION: We identified two symptoms significantly more reported by non-anemic iron-deficient menstruating women: recent hair loss for serum ferritin (SF) ≤ 20 µg/l and restless legs syndrome for SF ≤ 50 µg/l. Non-anemic iron deficiency may also impact their quality of life, but further investigation is needed. If one of these symptoms is reported in primary care, the possibility of a symptomatic iron deficiency cannot be ruled out, and iron supplementation should be considered.

Modelling the determinants of health and cancers as perceived by children: using imagery as a mediator of expression and narration.

OBJECTIVES: To model and analyse conceptions of determinants of health and cancer that are expressed and perceived by school children aged 6-11 based on a multiphase qualitative protocol. METHODOLOGY: This is a multicentric, qualitative study of human and social sciences conducted among school children aged 6-11 years old. Two different tools were used, e.Photoexpression and Photonarration, in four French schools. This innovative and exploratory method addresses global health during the first phase (e.Photoexpression) and the theme of cancer during the second phase (Photonarration). The children express themselves through photography and narration. RESULTS: 1498 qualitative productions were made by 381 children aged 6-11 years old. The analysis of these productions of expression and narration through images allowed modelling of determinants of health and cancer as perceived by children through 7 fields and 28 categories. The conceptions of determinants of health and child cancer refer to rationalities that are centred on individual determinants (76%), minimise environmental determinants (20%) and conceal the parameters of access to healthcare and social services (3%). DISCUSSION: These findings provide new data to the international literature on children's perceptions of determinants of health and cancer. These research findings, which can be applied to interventions and current practices, will enable prevention workers to act more effectively, closer to children's perceptions and needs.

Limited effect of a self-management exercise program added to spa therapy for increasing physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A quasi-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of spa therapy in osteoarthritis (OA) has ever been demonstrated, with a good level of evidence for pain and disability. The effect of a self-management program with spa therapy on physical activity (PA) level has never been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess, at 3 months, the effectiveness of 5 sessions of a self-management exercise program in patients with knee OA (KOA) who benefit from 18 days of spa therapy and received an information booklet (on proposed physical exercises) on improvement in at least one PA level. METHODS: This was an interventional, multicentre, quasi-randomized controlled trial with a cluster randomized design (1-month period). People 50 to 75 years old with symptomatic knee OA were included in 3 spa therapy centres in France (Bourbon Lancy, Le Mont Dore, Royat). Both groups received conventional spa therapy sessions during 18 days and an information booklet on the benefits of PA practice for KOA. The intervention group additionally received 5 self-management exercise sessions. The main outcome was improvement in at least one PA level according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short-form categorical score (low to moderate or high, or moderate to high) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were the evolution of PA (MET-min/week), disability, pain, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, fears and beliefs concerning KOA, barriers to and facilitators of regular PA practice, consumption of painkillers and adherence to physical exercise program at 3 months. Assessors but not participants or caregivers were blinded. RESULTS: In total, 123 patients were randomized, 54 to the intervention group and 69 to the control group. Considering the main outcome, at 3 months, 37% of patients in the intervention group showed improvement in at least one PA level according to the IPAQ categorical score versus 30.4% in the control group (P=0.44). In the intervention group, 13 (24.1%) patients showed improvement from low to moderate PA level (vs. 8 [11.6%] in the control group), 2 (3.7%) from low to high (vs. 2 [2.9%]) and 5 (9.3%) from moderate to highvs. 11 [15.9%]). Both intervention and control groups showed increased IPAQ continuous scores (MET-min/week) at 3 months, although not significantly. HAD anxiety and depression scores were significantly reduced in the intervention group (P=0.001 and P=0.049, respectively) and the perception of PA was better in the intervention than control group for motivation and barriers scores (P=0.019 and P=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the lack of impact of a short self-management program on PA level in addition to 18-day spa therapy for KOA, but both intervention and control groups showed improved PA level.

Positive and cost-effectiveness effect of spa therapy on the resumption of occupational and non-occupational activities in women in breast cancer remission: a French multicentre randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: The main aim was to assess the effects of a spa treatment on the resumption of occupational and non-occupational activities and the abilities of women in breast cancer remission. A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was also performed. METHODS AND SAMPLE: A multicentre randomised controlled trial was carried out between 2008 and 2010 in the University Hospital of Auvergne and two private hospitals in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Eligible patients were women in complete breast cancer remission without contraindication for physical activities or cognitive disorders and a body mass index between 18.5 and 40 kg/m(2). The intervention group underwent spa treatment combined with consultation with dietician whereas the control underwent consultations with the dietician only. Of the 181 patients randomised, 92 and 89 were included in the intervention and the control groups, respectively. The CEA involved 90 patients, 42 from the intervention group and 48 from the control group. KEY RESULTS: The main results showed a higher rate of resumption of occupational activities in the intervention group (p = 0.0025) and a positive effect of the intervention on the women's ability to perform occupational activities 12 months after the beginning of the study (p = 0.0014), and on their ability to perform family activities (p = 0.033). The stay in a thermal centre was cost-effective at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Spa treatment is a cost-effective strategy to improve resumption of occupational and non-occupational activities and the abilities of women in breast cancer remission.