Table 3.
Impact of iron supplementation on functional status during hospitalization in a sub-group of patients with iron deficiency.
| Iron deficiency (n = 91) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron supplementation (n = 41) | No iron supplementation (n = 50) | p value* | |
| On admission | |||
| Handgrip strength (kg) | 22.0 ± 9.2 | 20.0 ± 9.5 | 0.203 |
| Isometric knee extension strength (kg) | 15.9 ± 6.9 | 12.1 ± 5.6 | 0.008 |
| Total Barthel Index (median, IQR) | 50 (45–55) | 45 (45–55) | 0.878 |
| Walking | 5 (5–10) | 5 (5–10) | 0.771 |
| Climbing stairs | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | 0.756 |
| At discharge | |||
| Handgrip strength (kg) | 23.0 ± 9.4 | 21.0 ± 9.9 | 0.734 |
| Isometric knee extension strength (kg) | 19.1 ± 7.8† | 14.3 ± 6.4† | 0.005 |
| Total Barthel Index (median, IQR) | 70 (60–80)† | 75 (67–85)† | 0.118 |
| Walking | 10 (10–10)† | 10 (10–10)† | 0.827 |
| Climbing stairs | 5 (0–5)† | 5 (5–5)† | 0.072 |
*Difference between groups; †p < 0.001, difference within group from admission to discharge.