Iron Deficiency as a Predictor of Disease Severity in Heart Failure: An Observational Study

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Iron deficiency has now been established as an important comorbidity, either absolute or functional type that may make HF worse by increasing symptoms, limiting exercise tolerance and independently associating with poor outcomes irrespective of anaemia. There is limited data regarding the prevalence and clinical importance of ID among Indian HF patients. To study aims to evaluate the prevalence, types, and clinical correlates of ID in hospitalized HF patients and to determine its association with severity of HF. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study of 162 HF patients was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Patients underwent a thorough clinical examination and determination of NYHA functional classification. They completed a CBC and biochemical studies, including serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). ID was classified as absolute ID (ferritin