Iron deficiency, general health and fatigue: Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Associations between self-reported 'low iron', general health and well-bein g, vitality and tiredness in women, were examined using physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary and vitality (VT) scores from the MOS short- form survey (SF-36). 14,762 young (18-23 years) and 14,072 mid-age (45-50 y ears) women, randomly selected from the national health insurance commissio n (Medicare) database, completed a baseline mailed self-report questionnair e and 12,328 mid-age women completed a follow-up questionnaire 2 years late r. Young and mid-age women who reported (ever) having had 'low iron' report ed significantly lower mean PCS, MCS and VT scores, and greater prevalence of 'constant tiredness' at baseline than women with no history of iron defi ciency [Differences: young PCS = -2.2, MCS = -4.8, VT = -8.7; constant tire dness: 67% vs. 45%; mid-age PCS = -1.4, MCS = -3.1, VT = -5.9; constant tir edness: 63% vs. 48%]. After adjusting for number of children, chronic condi tions, symptoms and socio-demographic variables, mean PCS, MCS and VT score s for mid-age women at follow-up were significantly lower for women who rep orted recent iron deficiency (in the last 2 years) than for women who repor ted past iron deficiency or no history of iron deficiency [Means: PCS - rec ent = 46.6, past = 47.8, never = 47.7; MCS - recent = 45.4, past = 46.9, ne ver = 47.4; VT - recent = 54.8, past = 57.6, never = 58.6]. The adjusted me an change in PCS, MCS and VT scores between baseline and follow-up were als o significantly lower among mid-age women who reported iron deficiency only in the last 2 years (i.e. recent iron deficiency) [Mean change: PCS = -3.2 ; MCS = -2.1; VT = -4.2]. The results suggest that iron deficiency is assoc iated with decreased general health and well-being and increased fatigue.