Work

Ironing out the iron profile in heart failure patients: A single centre, outpatient-based cross-sectional study in South Africa

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, affecting up to 55% of patients with heart failure. Iron deficiency is an independent predictor of poor outcomes in heart failure patients. Screening for iron deficiency is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and adopted locally. Objectives: To provide insight into the burden of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure in South Africa by measuring the iron profile and analysing differences in the iron profile between sexes and subgroups of heart failure. Methods: A single-centre descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory data of patients with heart failure attending Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein for 3 months in 2023 were collected and analysed. Results: We included 147 patients, 127 of whom had iron profile results. Over half (60.6%, 77/127) had iron deficiency, while the majority (74.0%, 57/77) had nonanaemic iron deficiency. Iron deficiency was more prevalent in females than males (p-value = 0.0006). Conclusion: A high prevalence of iron deficiency in heart failure was noted. Even though their haemoglobin levels were normal, most patients were iron deficient. Routine screening of heart failure patients, as adopted from the ESC Guidelines 2021, is recommended.

Source: SA Heart

DOI: 10.24170/22-2-6565

Authors: A. Gerber, T. Asmal, C.L. Barrett

Institution: University of the Free State

Language: English

Topic: Iron Metabolism and Disorders

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Universiteit van die Vrystaat