Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: 42 women with pruritus vulvae and 42 asymptomatic broadly age-matched controls were enrolled in this prospective study. The outcome measures assessed were serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, haemoglobin and transferrin saturation. RESULTS: 12 (29%) participants and 10 (24%) controls were iron deficient; 1 (2%) participant and 1 (2%) control had laboratory-defined iron deficiency anaemia. Participants generally had lower levels of iron markers than controls, with differences (95% confidence interval (CI)) of -3.5 microg/l (-9.89 to 6.99) for serum ferritin (p = 0.73), -4.9 mmol/l (-8.12 to 0.12) for serum iron (p = 0.06) and -5.5 mmol/l (-5.75 to 1.46) for total iron-binding capacity (p = 0.24). No significant difference in haemoglobin or mean cell volume was shown between the two groups (haemoglobin: p = 0.17, 95% CI -0.83 to 0.15; mean cell volume: p = 0.15, 95% CI -4.59 to 0.73). CONCLUSION: This study does not provide evidence to support the routine determination of iron status in patients presenting to genitourinary medicine clinics with pruritus vulvae from all causes.
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Authors | S M Bates, G Dilke-Wing |
Journal | Sexually transmitted infections
(Sex Transm Infect)
Vol. 82
Issue 6
Pg. 489-90
(Dec 2006)
ISSN: 1368-4973 [Print] England |
PMID | 17151035
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Ferritins
(blood)
- Humans
- Iron
(blood)
- Iron Deficiencies
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Pruritus Vulvae
(blood)
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(blood)
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