[Long-term prognosis value of anemia in a non-selected population with heart failure]

Prevalence of anemia in heart failure is variable. Many studies have established a relation between anemia and prognosis in selected patients with heart failure. We have poor information anout the long-term prognosis in non- selected populations.

We analyze the presence of anemia during 2 month in 100 consecutive patients in our hospital with a main diagnosis of heart failure (Cardiology or Internal Medicine departments). We defined anemia according to WHO criteria: hemoglobin level lower than 130 g/l (men) and 120 g/l (women). We studied the influence of anemia in long-term prognosis (follow-up of 25+/-18 m).

Mean age was 71.8 (9) years. 41% of patients had anemia. Values of hemoglobin were related to age and creatinine, but not with cardiovascular risk factors. Patients who died (38%) had lower hemoglobin than patients who survived (121 [22] gr/dl vs 130 [17] gr/dl; p<0.02). Mortality in the anemia group was 52.5% vs 32.1% (p<0.04). In the Cox multivariable analisis, anemia was a predictor factor of mortality in the follow-up (RR = 1,55; CI 95%, 1.05-2.47; p<0.04) and functional class (III/IV) (RR=2.52; CI 95%, 1.56-4.07; p<0.001).

In a non-selected population of patients with heart failure, the prevalence of anemia is high and has independiente prognostic value in long-term mortality with functional advanced class.