Abstract

TENTONI, Juan  and  LARREGINA, Alejandra Norma. Anemia and iron overload prevalence in three locations of the Ventania System. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2015, vol.49, n.3, pp.335-341. ISSN 0325-2957.

Anemia and iron overload are the two ends of iron metabolism alterations and they require rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iron overload in three locations on each side of the Ventania system and their possible relation to water consumed by its inhabitants. The population of the three locations was classified into two groups: 1- Cabildo (C); 2- Saldungaray (S) - Sierra de la Ventana (SV) and it consisted of 128 persons. The total age range was 18 to 73 years. All samples underwent blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and ferritin. Physico-chemical analysis of consumption water was performed on each location. The age of C women was higher (46.5 years vs 38, p: 0.0240); and similar for men (50.5 vs 39.5, p = 0.0109). No difference was observed in the prevalence of anemia on both sides of the mountains (23% vs 17%, p: 0.5104, average 20%); IDA occurred more frequently in women of S and SV (4.3% vs 19.6%, p: 0.0490) and iron overload was more common in C women (35% vs 11%, p: 0,0118), while men were not different (44% vs 56%, p: 0,7395). There was no difference in public water supply in the content of iron, manganese and arsenic. Instead, different concentrations of fluoride in each locality were found. This study is considered to represent an important health care contribution to identify populations at risk in this region.

Keywords : Anemia; Ventania System; Iron overload.