Profiles of anemia in adolescent students with sports club membership in an outpatient clinic setting: a retrospective study

Background: Anemia is a common health issue among adolescents. Anemic conditions could affect physical performance; however, the actual profiles of anemia in adolescent students in sports clubs have not been well documented. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of individuals aged 13-22 years who belonged to sports clubs in schools and visited an outpatient clinic between August 1, 2016, and August 31, 2020. The medical and laboratory records, including serum levels of ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and creatinine kinase at their first visit were assessed. Results: A total of 485 individuals (231 male (48%) and 254 female (52%) patients) were eligible for the study. The most common club activity was track and field (n = 171 (35%)). The overall prevalence of the World Health Organization-defined anemia was 16.5% (95% CI [13.1-20.4]; 9.0% [5.4-13.8] and 23.1% [17.8-29.2] in males and females, respectively) after excluding pre-treated individuals. Hypoferritinemia and elevation of serum creatinine kinase levels were identified as independent contributors to anemia in both sexes (odds ratios: 13.2 (95% CI [4.2-41.1]), p < 0.001 and 14.7 (95% CI [1.8-118.4]), p = 0.012, respectively for males; odds ratios: 6.6 (95% CI [1.3-13.9]), p < 0.001 and 2.7 (95% CI [1.4-5.5]), p = 0.004, respectively for females). Discussion: Anemia is prevalent in both male and female adolescent students in sports clubs. Iron deficiency and excessive training indicated by elevated creatinine kinase levels may contribute to the risk of anemia. Physicians should assess the amount of exercise, and not merely iron storage, in clinical practice.

Automated summary

Anemia is prevalent among adolescent students in sports clubs, with both iron deficiency and excessive training contributing to the risk. Physicians should take exercise into account when evaluating anemia in clinical practice.