Study of Correlation of Iron Profile of Elderly Patients with Heart Failure in a Tertiary Care Center

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are both common in the elderly, especially in India, and the relative paucity of data about the same makes their relationship worthwhile to study. Also, as IDA, especially nutritional, is relatively simple to manage, it can help in reducing disease burden significantly. OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical and etiological profile of patients with HF in the elderly age-group and correlate HF with serum iron, serum ferritin, and percentage transferrin saturation (%TSAT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present prospective, observational sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital, for a duration of 1 year. The study population included 138 elderly patients admitted to medicine wards and intensive care unit (ICU) having HF. RESULTS: Among the 138 patients with HF included in the study [41.30% in the age-group of 61-65 years, 70.29% males, 35.51% having ejection fraction 50%, which was statistically significant. Absolute or functional ID was revealed maximum in NYHA class IV while it was found least in class I. CONCLUSION: ID was associated with severe and more symptomatic HF in the elderly. The results highlight that iron supplementation through diet and medicines will help to decrease mortality, morbidity, and financial burden of the healthcare system.