Prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among patients with heart failure admitted in a tertiary care hospital of sub-Himalayan region in North India

Abstract

Objective: Anemia and iron deficiency (ID) are common in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF). The study was planned to find out the prevalence of anemia and ID in patients of chronic HF among patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital from Himachal Pradesh, India. Methods: This was a hospital-based open cohort observational descriptive study conducted on patients diagnosed with chronic HF. The study period was of 1 year. HF was defined on the basis of 2016 ESC Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic HF. Anemia was diagnosed on the basis of WHO definitions (<13 g/dl in males and <12 g/dl in females). ID was diagnosed as serum ferritin <100 μg/dl (absolute ID) or serum ferritin 100–299 μ/dl and transferring saturation <20% (functional ID). Results: A total 61 patients (41 females and 20 males) were included in the study over 1 year. Out of 61 patients, 48 (78.7%) were found to be iron deficient. Thirty-four patients were having absolute ID, whereas 14 were having functional ID. Anemia was found in 29 patients (47.5%). Nineteen patients were having ID without anemia. Conclusion: Anemia and ID are common in patients with HF in the sub-Himalayan region in North India. Hemogram and iron profile should be included in the investigation protocol during management of HF in Indian patients.