Effect of iron-folic acid supplementation on change of hemoglobin among visceral Leishmaniasis patients in northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective follow up study

Background: An individual with visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) commonly present with anemia and one of the VL treatment center in northwest Ethiopia has been recommended iron-folic acid supplementation to these patients. But there is no documented evidence whether iron-folic acid supplementation improves the hematological profile of patients. Therefore, the study aimed to assess change in hemoglobin (Hb) and its determinant factors among VL patients with and without iron-folic acid supplementation in northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and transferred to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 for analysis. Independent sample T-test and linear regression were used to compare the change in Hb and identify factors associated with a change in Hb, respectively. A 95% confidence level and p-values less than 0.05 were used determine statistically significant. Results: From a total of 602 VL patients, 299 (49.7%) were from University of Gondar hospital. The mean (±SD) change of Hb from baseline to end of treatment was 0.99(±1.64) and 1.61(±1.88) g/dl with and without iron-folate supplementation, respectively, with mean difference 0.62, 95% CI (0.34, 0.90) and a p-value of < 0.0001. In multiple linear regressions, combination therapy of sodium stibogluconate-paramomycin (SSG-PM) was positively associated with a change of Hb (β [SE, p]: 0.710/0.15, < 0.0001). Whereas age (− 0.030/0.009, 0.001), nasal bleeding (− 0.261/0.123, 0.035), baseline white blood cell (− 0.139/0.044, 0.002) and hemoglobin (− 0.513/0.031, < 0.0001), end of treatment spleen size (− 0.059/0.015, < 0.0001) and iron-folic acid supplementation (− 0.574/0.163, < 0.0001) were negatively associated with change of Hb. Conclusion: Iron-folic acid supplementation had a negative effect on the change of Hb. A combination therapy of SSG-PM, age, nasal bleeding, baseline white blood cells and Hb, and iron-folic acid supplementation were the determinants of change of Hb. Therefore, avoiding iron-folic acid supplementation and strengthening VL treatment with a combination of SSG-PM and, and early identification of complications is recommended for a better outcome.