Prevalence and Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Jordan

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in diabetic nephropathy, yet understudied in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) without nephropathy. Aim This study assessed the prevalence of IDA and its risk factors in T2D patients. Methods A cross‐sectional study in 2023 included 404 T2D patients. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, and dietary intake (energy, macronutrients, iron, and vitamin C) were obtained using two nonconsecutive 24‐h dietary recalls. Laboratory tests included complete blood count, serum ferritin, HbA1c, fasting glucose, creatinine, and urea. IDA was defined as hemoglobin < 13 g/dL (men) or < 12 g/dL (women) with ferritin < 30 µg/L. Results Anemia affected 25.7% of participants, iron depletion 57.9%, and IDA 19.1%. Females showed slightly higher anemia (26.9% vs. 22.8%) and iron depletion (60.3% vs. 51.6%) rates. Those with IDA had lower estimated glomerular filtration rates (82.6 vs. 91.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , p = 0.003), although values remained within the nonchronic kidney disease range. Males had higher dietary iron intake (16.6 mg/day vs. 10.3 mg/day, p < 0.001). Patients with diabetes ≥ 20 years were 2.3 times more likely to have IDA (OR: 2.334; 95% CI: 1.045–5.212, p = 0.039). Conclusions Nearly one‐fifth of T2D patients had IDA. T2D patients with diabetes for 20 years or more are over twice as likely to develop IDA. Regular IDA screening, especially in long‐standing T2D, may improve diabetes management.