A SURVEY-BASED STUDY TO UNDERSTAND THE PRACTICE PROFILE OF INDIAN GYNAECOLOGISTS ON IRON SUPPLEMENTATION IN WOMEN WITH IRON-DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA

Abstract

Aim: Materials andTo understand the practice prole and prescribing patterns of iron supplements in women from menarche to menopause. Methods: The study was carried out among 334 gynaecologists practicing across various zones of India. Participants were invited to complete a digital link survey on prescribing iron supplements to patients with iron deciency and IDA. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests. Results: Around 49.7% of the gynaecologists reported the prevalence of anaemia to be 21–40%, whereas 11.1% reported it to be >60%. 84.1% preferred assessing haemoglobin to diagnose IDA. However, 56.6% favoured ruling out any haematological condition before commencing an iron supplement. Ferrous ascorbate was the most prescribed salt form of iron (87%), in combination with L-methylfolate (72.8%). 80.5% gynaecologists did not prescribe an oral iron supplement in the rst trimester, and 46.4% reported that 75% of their patients were compliant with the prescribed iron supplements. 61.4% of gynaecologists reported constipation as the most common side effect encountered by patients with oral iron supplements. For majority (48.8%), iron sucrose was the most preferred IV iron salt and its recommended dose in pregnancy was 100-200mg (63.66%). These ndings provide a clear understanding of the prescribing patterns of oral and IV iron supplements, including theConclusion: better outcomes associated with the sustained-release formulation and the use of L-methylfolate, leading to reduced non-compliance and improving anaemic conditions in Indian women.