Prevalence of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Women of Reproductive Age in Cuba and Associated Factors.

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in women of reproductive age and the association with inflammation, global overweight, adiposity, and menorrhagia. A sample design of women of reproductive age from the Eastern, Central, and Havana Regions was carried out. Biochemical determinations of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors, leukocytes, C-reactive protein, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, and homocysteine were performed. Serum ferritin was also adjusted by inflammation. Nutritional status was assessed, and menstrual characteristics were collected by survey. A total of 742 women were studied. The prevalence of anemia was 21.4%, iron storage deficiency at 16.0%, and erythropoietic dysfunction at 5.4%, with inflammation at 47.0% and elevated homocysteine at 18.6%. Global overweight was 46.2% and increased adiposity at 58.4%. Anemia is associated with iron deposition deficiency (OR = 3.023 (1.816-5.033)) and with erythropoietic deficiency (OR = 5.62 (3.03-10.39)), but not with inflammation, global overweight, and adiposity. Global overweight was found to be associated with inflammation (OR = 2.23 (1.41-3.53)). Anemia was associated with heavy menstrual bleeding (OR = 1.92 (1.34-2.76)). Homocysteine was associated with inflammation (OR = 2.05 (1.08-3.90)), but not with anemia. In conclusion, anemia in Cuba is classified as a moderate public health problem, but not iron deficiency. A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found, associated with inflammation, but not with anemia or iron deficiency. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a factor associated with anemia.

Anemia, deficiencia de hierro y factores asociados en niños cubanos de 6 a 59 meses

Introducción: La principal causa de anemia en los preescolares es la deficiencia dietética de hierro, pero existen otras condiciones asociadas y no evaluadas. Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de anemia y deficiencia de hierro en niños de 6 a 59 meses y su asociación con inflamación, sobrepeso global, ingestión de alimentos y nivel de instrucción materno. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal nacional, con determinaciones de hemoglobina, ferritina, receptores de transferrina, proteína C reactiva y alfa-1 glicoproteína ácida. Se evaluó el estado nutricional, dieta y nivel de instrucción de la madre. Resultados: Se estudiaron 1417 niños. La prevalencia de anemia fue de un 22,5 %, la de deficiencia de hierro, de un 35,6 % y la de disfunción eritropoyética, de un 13,3 %; con inflamación 37,6 % y prevalencia de sobrepeso global 7,5 %. La anemia estuvo asociada al déficit de hierro OR = 2,07(1,45-2,97) y la inflamación OR = 2,01(1,45-2,78). No se encontraron asociaciones entre la anemia y el déficit de hierro con el sobrepeso global. El bajo consumo de huevos OR = 1,84 (IC95 %1,39-2,43), frutas OR = 1,73 (IC95 %1,29-2,34) y leguminosas OR = 1,68 (IC95 %1,25-2,25) resultaron ser un factor de riesgo de anemia. El análisis de regresión logística mostró que la anemia estaba asociada al grupo menor de 2 años, deficiencia de hierro, inflamación y bajo consumo de frutas; y el sobrepeso global fue un factor de protección. Conclusiones: La anemia y deficiencia de hierro clasifican como problemas de salud pública moderados asociados a la inflamación. El grupo menor de dos años y el bajo consumo de frutas resultó ser un factor de riesgo y el sobrepeso global resultó un factor de protección para la anemia.

Introduction: The main cause of anemia in preschoolers is dietary iron deficiency, nonetheless there are other associated and unevaluated conditions. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 6 to 59 months and the association with inflammation, overall overweight, food intake and maternal educational level. Methods: A national cross-sectional study was carried out, with determinations of hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin receptors, C-reactive protein and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. The nutritional status, diet and educational level of the mother were evaluated. Results: One thousand four hundred and seventeen children were studied. The prevalence of anemia was 22.5%, 35.6% of iron deficiency, and 13.3% of erythropoietic dysfunction. 37.6% of cases presented inflammation and 7.5% presented global overweight prevalence. Anemia was associated with iron deficiency OR = 2.07(1.45-2.97) and inflammation OR = 2.01(1.45-2.78). No associations were found between anemia and iron deficiency with overall overweight. Low consumption of eggs OR = 1.84 (95% CI 1.39-2.43), fruits OR = 1.73 (95% CI 1.29-2.34) and legumes OR = 1.68 (CI 95% 1.25-2.25) were found to be a risk factor for anemia. The logistic regression analysis showed that anemia was associated with the group under two years of age. Conclusions: Anemia and iron deficiency classify as moderate public health problems associated with inflammation. The group under two years of age and low fruit consumption turned out to be a risk factor and overall overweight turned out to be a protective factor for anemia.

Deficiencia de cinc en mujeres en edad reproductiva, La Habana, Cuba / Zinc deficiency in childbearing-aged women, Havana, Cuba

Introducción: La deficiencia de cinc se considera un problema de salud global. Existe escasa información sobre el estado nutricional del cinc en mujeres cubanas en edad reproductiva. Objetivo: Identificar deficiencia de cinc y cobre sérico en mujeres en edad reproductiva, según factores relacionados, como la anemia, inflamación, exceso de peso y adiposidad abdominal. Métodos: Se estudiaron 104 mujeres de 18 a 40 años de edad, de La Habana, aparentemente sanas. Se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo. Se realizó la determinación de cinc, cobre, hemoglobina, ferritina, proteína C reactiva, alfa 1 glicoproteína, peso, talla y circunferencia mínima de la cintura, se calculó el índice de masa corporal. Se utilizaron puntos de corte internacionales para la evaluación. Resultados: La prevalencia de deficiencia de hierro, estimada por ferritina sérica, cinc y cobre sérico fueron 66,3 por ciento (67/102), 36,2 por ciento (34/94) y 19,1 por ciento (18/94), respectivamente. De las mujeres 23,5 por ciento (24/102) tenían anemia e inflamación 8,8 por ciento (9/102) y 13 por ciento (13/102) estimada por CRP y AGP. Predominaron mujeres con exceso de peso 52,9 por ciento (54/102) y adiposidad abdominal 61,8 por ciento (60/97). Conclusiones: El riesgo de deficiencia de cinc en la muestra es elevado, la prevalencia del Zn sérico disminuido supera el 20 por ciento. No existe criterio para evaluar el riesgo de deficiencia de cobre como problema de salud pública. Las deficiencias de cinc y cobre no parecen estar asociadas a la anemia, la inflamación y el estado nutricional general. Se requiere realizar pesquisas adicionales para identificar la magnitud de las deficiencias de cinc y cobre y sus posibles causas(AU)

Introduction: Zinc deficiency is considered a global health problem. There is scarce information on zinc's nutritional state in Cuban childbearing-aged women. Objective: Identify zinc and serum copper deficiency in childbearing-aged women, based on related factors, such as anemia, inflammation, excess weight and abdominal adiposity. Methods: 104 seemingly healthy women from Havana, aged 18 to 40 were studied. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The determination of zinc, copper, hemoglobin, ferritin, C-reactive protein, alpha 1 glycoprotein, weight, size and minimum waist circumference was made, and the body mass index was calculated. International breakpoints were used for evaluation. Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency, estimated by serum ferritin, zinc and serum copper was 66.3 percent (67/101), 36.2 percent (34/94) and 19.1 percent (18/94), respectively. Of women, 23.5 percent (24/102) had anemia, and 8.8 percent had inflammation (9/102) and 13 percent (13/100) estimated by CRP and AGP. Women with overweight 52.9 percent (54/102) and abdominal adiposity 61.8% (60/97) predominated. Conclusions: The risk of zinc deficiency in the sample is high, the prevalence of decreased serum Zn exceeds 20 percent. There is no criterion for assessing the risk of copper deficiency as a public health problem. Zinc and copper deficiencies do not appear to be associated with anemia, inflammation and overall nutritional status. Additional tests are required to identify the magnitude of zinc and copper deficiencies and their possible causes(AU)