diff --git a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
index dc4fcdaf..d6cdd481 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState, useEffect, useImperativeHandle, forwardRef } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect, useImperativeHandle, forwardRef, useCallback, useRef } from 'react';
 import { CheckCircle, XCircle, Eye, Calendar, User, Filter, MessageSquare, FileText, Image, X, Trash2, ListTree, RefreshCw, AlertCircle, Clock, Lock, Unlock, AlertTriangle, UserCog, Zap } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge';
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import { QueueStatsDashboard } from './QueueStatsDashboard';
 import { EscalationDialog } from './EscalationDialog';
 import { ReassignDialog } from './ReassignDialog';
 import { smartMergeArray } from '@/lib/smartStateUpdate';
+import { useDebounce } from '@/hooks/useDebounce';
 
 interface ModerationItem {
   id: string;
@@ -95,6 +96,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   const { isAdmin, isSuperuser } = useUserRole();
   const { user } = useAuth();
   const queue = useModerationQueue();
+  const fetchInProgressRef = useRef(false);
 
   // Get admin settings for polling configuration
   const { 
@@ -108,11 +110,19 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   const refreshStrategy = getAutoRefreshStrategy();
   const preserveInteraction = getPreserveInteractionState();
 
-  const fetchItems = async (entityFilter: EntityFilter = 'all', statusFilter: StatusFilter = 'pending', silent = false) => {
+  const fetchItems = useCallback(async (entityFilter: EntityFilter = 'all', statusFilter: StatusFilter = 'pending', silent = false) => {
     if (!user) {
       return;
     }
 
+    // Prevent concurrent calls - race condition guard
+    if (fetchInProgressRef.current) {
+      console.log('⚠️ Fetch already in progress, skipping duplicate call');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    fetchInProgressRef.current = true;
+
     console.log('🔍 fetchItems called:', {
       entityFilter,
       statusFilter,
@@ -394,11 +404,26 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
         variant: 'destructive',
       });
     } finally {
+      fetchInProgressRef.current = false;
       setLoading(false);
       setIsRefreshing(false);
       setIsInitialLoad(false);
     }
-  };
+  }, [
+    user,
+    entityCache,
+    profileCache,
+    submissionMemo,
+    items,
+    refreshStrategy,
+    preserveInteraction,
+    interactingWith,
+    toast
+  ]);
+
+  // Debounced filters to prevent rapid-fire calls
+  const debouncedEntityFilter = useDebounce(activeEntityFilter, 300);
+  const debouncedStatusFilter = useDebounce(activeStatusFilter, 300);
 
   // Expose refresh method via ref
   useImperativeHandle(ref, () => ({
@@ -410,22 +435,22 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   // Initial fetch on mount and filter changes
   useEffect(() => {
     if (user) {
-      fetchItems(activeEntityFilter, activeStatusFilter, false); // Show loading
+      fetchItems(debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, false); // Show loading
     }
-  }, [activeEntityFilter, activeStatusFilter, user, fetchItems]);
+  }, [debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, user, fetchItems]);
 
   // Polling for auto-refresh
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!user || refreshMode !== 'auto' || isInitialLoad) return;
 
     const interval = setInterval(() => {
-      fetchItems(activeEntityFilter, activeStatusFilter, true); // Silent refresh
+      fetchItems(debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, true); // Silent refresh
     }, pollInterval);
 
     return () => {
       clearInterval(interval);
     };
-  }, [user, refreshMode, pollInterval, activeEntityFilter, activeStatusFilter, isInitialLoad, fetchItems]);
+  }, [user, refreshMode, pollInterval, debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, isInitialLoad, fetchItems]);
 
   // Real-time subscription for lock status
   useEffect(() => {