Clinical Characteristics of Iron Deficiency in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure at a Major Referral Centre in Southern Nigeria

Background. Iron deficiency (ID) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with reduced functional capacity, diminished quality of life, and increased mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID and its clinical characteristics. Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 136 patients with chronic HF at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Informed consent was obtained. Blood samples were collected for a full blood count and serum ferritin analysis, while echocardiography was performed for all study participants. Results. The mean age was 59.2±14.9years, with 51% being males. Notably, 41% of the patients exhibited low ferritin levels (≤100ng/ml), indicating the presence of ID. Among patients with ID, 19.7% had anemia. Although patients aged 65 years and above tended to have lower ferritin levels, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.141). In contrast, statistically significant associations were observed between ID and gender, with females being more susceptible to iron deficiency (p=0.036). However, normal levels of N-Terminal-prohormone-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-Pro-BNP) and high sensitivity – C Reactive Protein(hs-CRP) were significantly linked to ID (p=0.001 & p=0.004, respectively), and there was no significant correlation between ejection fraction and ferritin levels. Conclusion. Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is prevalent in chronic heart failure patients, particularly among females and even in persons who have normal levels of markers of HF severity such as hs-CRP and NT-pro-BNP. Regular screening for ID is vital to identify and manage this comorbidity, as iron correction can lead to improved functional capacity and reduced morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure.