Effects of Education on Treatment Adherence and Fatigue in Individuals with Treatment-Inadherent Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Trial in Türkiye

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of education given to individuals with iron deficiency anemia on treatment compliance and fatigue. Methods: The study included 63 patients, divided into intervention and control groups, who were admitted to or received inpatient treatment at the State Hospital Internal Medicine and Hematology Clinic between December 2023 and June 2024. The study was designed using an intervention design with a pretest, interim, and posttest control group. Our study examined treatment compliance and fatigue levels. Results: At pre-test, there were no significant differences between the Intervention (MMAS-4: 0.58 ± 0.76; Fatigue: 69.86 ± 18.66; Energy: 22.72 ± 8.03) and Control groups (MMAS-4: 0.56 ± 0.67; Fatigue: 74.30 ± 20.95; Energy: 23.66 ± 9.44; p>0.05). At interim and post-test, treatment adherence significantly improved in the Intervention group (Interim 3.35 ± 0.71; Post-test 3.65 ± 0.84) compared to the Control group (Interim 0.59 ± 0.87; Post-test 0.38 ± 0.83; p<0.001). Fatigue scores decreased significantly in the Intervention group (Interim 69.86 ± 18.66; Post-test 34.38 ± 10.15) but increased in the Control group (Interim 74.30 ± 20.95; Post-test 85.32 ± 22.45; p<0.001). Energy scores improved in the Intervention group (Interim 22.72 ± 8.03; Post-test 37.56 ± 5.67) while declining in the Control group (Interim 23.66 ± 9.44; Post-test 20.45 ± 11.02; p<0.001). Conclusion: Nurse-led education significantly improved adherence and reduced fatigue, supporting integration of structured patient education in IDA management.