Association between iron deficiency Anemia and allergic conditions: A retrospective analysis
Shreya Singh Beniwal, Gurneet Singh Dhingra, Samid Soeb Munshi, Mohammed Arsh Shaikh, Kumaran Ottilingam Ravindran, Tanish Baweja, Pulkit Saini, Akash Rawat, Rafael Everton Assunção Ribeiro Da Costa, Chimuka Mwaanga, Abhijeet Kumar, Yarianny Guante Marte, Destiny Darelis Aristy Pérez, Saif Syed, Jana KotaichBackground
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency linked to immune modulation and allergic conditions. This study investigates the association between IDA and allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and allergic eosinophilia.
Objective
To evaluate the association between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and the prevalence of allergic conditions, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and allergic eosinophilia, using a large nationally representative dataset.
Methods
A retrospective, cross-sectional design was employed using data from the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2020). Logistic regression models adjusted for confounders such as payer type, race, socioeconomic status, and hospital characteristics were used to assess associations.
Results
Among 32,966,720 patients, 1,247,309 (3.8%) had IDA. After adjustment, IDA was significantly associated with increased odds of allergic conditions: atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.30), asthma (OR = 1.21), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.21), food allergy (OR = 1.18), and allergic eosinophilia (OR = 1.24).
Conclusion
IDA was significantly associated with allergic conditions in this analysis, suggesting that iron status may represent a clinically relevant factor in patients with allergic diseases, as seen in this large national inpatient sample. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and develop targeted interventions. Addressing nutritional deficiencies may reduce the burden of allergic diseases and improve health outcomes.