Impact of anemia on hospitalization time, charges, and mortality in patients with heart failure

Although anemia is known to influence clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients, little is known about its impact on economic outcomes. A retrospective analysis was performed to determine the impact of hemoglobin (Hb) level on hospital length of stay (LOS), total charges, and hospital mortality in HF patients.

Claims data were drawn from 21 teaching and nonteaching hospitals for patients hospitalized between October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001. The impact of Hb on LOS, charges, and hospital mortality was determined using multivariate analyses. Two-stage least squares regression methods were used to assess the potential endogeneity of the economic outcomes (LOS and total charges) and Hb level.

Of the 8569 patients in the analysis, 40.2% had Hb < 12 g/dl and 73.8% were > or = 70 years of age. Hemoglobin had significant independent effects on all three outcomes. A 1 g/dl increase in Hb was associated with a 5.1% reduction in LOS (P < 0.001), a 4.3% decrease in charges (P < 0.001), and an 8.7% reduction in mortality risk (P < 0.001). The impact of Hb on all outcomes was greatest in younger HF patients.

This analysis demonstrates that higher Hb is associated with reductions in LOS, charges, and mortality in hospitalized HF patients. Further clinical studies are necessary to validate the cost effectiveness of pharmacologic intervention in anemic HF patients and its impact on patient care.