The Effect of Patient Education Provided by Clinical Pharmacists in Premenopausal Female Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

According to the World Health Organization, anemia is a prevalent public health issue in developing and industrialized nations, with serious consequences for individual health and broader social and economic development. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA), a prevalent global health issue in Türkiye, adversely affects multiple organs and physiological systems. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led educational interventions on improving patients' knowledge of the causes and consequences of IDA and on enhancing compliance with prescribed treatment regimens. This study was structured as a prospective, parallel, randomized controlled trial. It included all premenopausal women newly diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (hemoglobin levels below 12 g/dL) or those already undergoing iron therapy, who attended outpatient clinics at a research hospital in Istanbul, Türkiye. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control group using a computerized simple randomization program. A total of 116 patients were enrolled, with 56 assigned to the intervention group and 60 to the control group. Patients in the intervention group received verbal counseling on iron therapy and a brochure detailing the significance of anemia management, dietary adjustments, treatment recommendations, and strategies for managing side effects. Additionally, these patients were followed up weekly by a clinical pharmacist via telephone. In contrast, patients in the control group received standard medical care from their physicians without any pharmacist intervention. The mean age of the patients was 40.50 years. The majority of participants in the intervention group (78.3%) exhibited high compliance with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) supplements, compared to the control group (42.9%), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The mean increase in hemoglobin concentration in the intervention group (1.35 g/dL) was greater than that in the control group (0.70 g/dL) (p < 0.001). No serious or life-threatening adverse effects were reported in either group. This study demonstrated the importance of the clinical pharmacist's role in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in outpatient clinics; clinical pharmacist interventions and effective physician-pharmacist collaboration have led to improved disease management outcomes.