Efficiency of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Depressive States in Patients with Anemia

Abstract: Depression in patients with anaemia is often under-recognised and undertreated, partly due to symptom overlap and pharmacological limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficiency of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating depressive states in anaemic patients. Forty adult patients with mild to moderate anaemia and clinically diagnosed depression received 15 sessions of high-frequency rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Significant reductions in depressive symptoms were observed, with a 42.5% mean decrease in HAM-D scores and a parallel reduction in fatigue severity and improvement in quality of life (SF-12). The treatment was well-tolerated with minimal side effects. These findings suggest that rTMS is a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing depression in anaemic individuals, offering rapid relief and improved daily functioning.