THE PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA IN ELDERLY WITH SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE HOSPITALIZED IN ALBORZ HOSPITAL OF KARAJ 2008

Anemia is prevalent co morbidity in heart failure that is an independent risk
factor for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure. The aim of the present
study was to determine the prevalence of anemia in the elderly with systolic heart failure hospitalized
in Alborz Hospital of Karaj during 2002-2008.
Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study that reviewed 154 medical records of
elderly with systolic heart failure during 2002-2008. Demographic, laboratory, and echocardiography
data were reviewed from medical records. In this study Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level
below 12 g/dL in women and below 13 g/dL in men. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics
such as frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation and independent group test and Pearson
correlation coefficient.
Results: The findings indicated that the prevalence of anemia in the elderly with systolic heart failure
was 42.9%. There was a significant difference between the mean level of hemoglobin in heart failure
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.000) and hypokalemia (p=0.017). There was a
significant association between the level of hemoglobin with age (p=0.014) and left ventricular
ejection fraction (0.022).
Conclusion: This study indicates that anemia is frequent among the elderly with systolic heart failure
and anemia may be associated with age, left ventricular ejection fraction, serum potassium and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease.