IRON DEFICIENCY WITHOUT ANAEMIA IN COPD PATIENTS: ASSESSING EXERCISE CAPACITY AND EXACERBATION FREQUENCY

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Hematology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) presents a significant global health burden.
• Iron deficiency, including non-anaemic iron deficiency (NAID), is an emerging comorbidity in COPD patients.
• Understanding the impact of iron status on COPD severity and outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency in COPD patients.
• To assess the association between iron deficiency and COPD severity.
• To investigate the impact of iron deficiency on clinical outcomes in COPD.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 289 COPD patients.
• Comprehensive medical assessments including haematological tests and spirometry were performed.
• Iron levels, exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance), and exacerbation frequency were measured and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• Iron deficiency was present in 46.7% of the study participants.
• Iron-deficient COPD patients exhibited significantly lower exercise capacity.
• A higher frequency of yearly COPD exacerbations was observed in iron-deficient individuals.
• No significant differences in airflow limitation or quality of life were found between groups.

Conclusions:

• Iron deficiency, including NAID, is associated with more severe COPD progression.
• Reduced exercise capacity and increased exacerbation frequency are key indicators of this association.
• Screening for and managing iron deficiency in COPD patients may improve clinical outcomes.