Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Chronic Heart Failure Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Introduction: This is an observational study to explorethe prevalence of irondeficiency (ID) and the relationshipbetween the severity of chronic heart failure (CHF) and the degree of ID in CHF patients.Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the extent of ID and its adverse effects on patients with CHF.This study was intended to assess the prevalence and effect of ID in anaemic as well as, non-anaemic subjects.Methodology: Study subjects were from OPDs and IPD patients with the diagnosis of CHF, based on clinical and2D echo findings. ID was diagnosed by basing on iron profile along with transferin saturation (TSAT). The studyperiod was from January 2017 to March 2018; from which 109 patients were included. In those cases, trans-thoracicechocardiography, chest X-Ray, necessary blood biochemistry and CBC were done. Data collected on 109 cases ofCHF were analyzed using IBM SPSS 24.0 software.Results: Iron deficiency was present in 86.2% of patients, 40.3% had functional ID (ferritin 100-300 and TSATless than 20%) and 45.9% had absolute ID (ferritin less than 100). Interestingly, out of those who had no anaemiaclinically or laboratory report wise approximately one-fourth of the patients had iron deficiency.Conclusion: This study reveals that ID in HF is a hugely ignored area in India. This study brings out the need forlarge-scale studies in India so that this easily treatable condition can be well characterized and routine testing forID could be introduced in the guidelines of our country.