WHEN IRON RUNS LOW, FOCUS FADES: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN IRON DEFICIENCY AND CONCENTRATION SPAN AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background:

Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and has been associated with several neurocognitive impairments, including reduced attention and concentration. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies due to academic stress, irregular dietary habits, and demanding schedules. Despite increasing evidence linking iron deficiency to cognitive decline, limited research has specifically examined its impact on concentration span among medical students.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 undergraduate medical students aged 18–25 years from different medical colleges in Karachi. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that included demographic information, medical history, and laboratory values such as hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. Concentration span was assessed using the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square tests were applied to evaluate the relationship between iron status and concentration scores.

Results:

Among the 150 participants, 75 (50%) were male and 75 (50%) were female, with a mean age of 21.3 ± 1.8 years. Iron deficiency was identified in 58 students (38.7%), while 92 students (61.3%) had normal iron levels. Students with iron deficiency demonstrated significantly lower concentration scores (M = 14.2 ± 3.1) compared to those with normal iron levels (M = 18.6 ± 2.7) (t(118) = 7.12, p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between serum ferritin levels and concentration scores (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant association was found between iron deficiency and self-reported difficulty in maintaining attention during lectures (χ² = 9.84, p = 0.002).

Conclusion:

The findings demonstrate a significant association between iron deficiency and reduced concentration span among undergraduate medical students. Maintaining adequate iron levels through proper nutrition, screening, and early intervention may improve cognitive performance and academic outcomes in this population. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to explore the long-term cognitive effects of iron deficiency.

Keywords: Iron deficiency, concentration span, medical students, ferritin, cognitive function, anemia.