Impact of oral iron therapy on quality of life in patients with heart failure

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Anemia is common in patients with heart failure and is associated with severe symptoms, worse exercise capacity & quality of life. Therefore, present study evaluates effect of oral iron therapy on quality of life in patients with heart failure. METHODS: This prospective, open labelled study includes 40 patients of either sex, diagnosed with anemia in heart failure (HF). Inclusion criteria- Age >18 Years, HF- NYHA Class II and III, LVEF <40, Hb-6-11g/ dl, exercise tolerance (walk distance within 6 min. <375 M) and informed consent. Patients were divided in to 2 groups. Group I- Iron sulphate 100mg, po, bid x3 months was given in anemic patients along with standard treatment for heart failure. Group II - Anemic patients received only standard treatment for HF. Quality of life was measured by Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLHFQ) before treatment and after 15, 45 & 90 days of iron treatment. Dyspnoea and fatigue were also recorded using Borg scale. RESULTS: MLHFQ score in group I and group II before treatment was comparable. There was a significant improvement in quality of life (as evident by decrease in MLHFQ score) in HF patients received iron treatment for 90 days as compared to control group. Improved dyspnoea (score decreased) and fatigue (score decreased) was also observed in iron treated patients. CONCLUSION: Oral iron therapy improves quality of life in patients with heart failure.