Prevalence of absolute iron deficiency in chronic heart failure population at an urban academic centre in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency is prevalent in chronic heart failure populations from high-income countries, with associated poor quality of life measures and symptomatology. However, there is a paucity of data from sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated clinical characteristics of patients with absolute iron deficiency (AID) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), in an urban academic setting in South Africa. Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study in an urban academic centre in South Africa. Patients that attend the chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction clinic were screened for absolute iron deficiency, which was defined as a ferritin level of <100 mcg/l. Results: A total of 208 patients fulfilling the study inclusion criteria were analysed. The cohort consisted of 120 (57.69%) females. Absolute iron deficiency was found to be present in 99 (47.60%) patients. Concurrent anaemia was noted in 32 (15.38%) patients. The mean age of the population was 56.78 (SD 14.54) years. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 31% (SD 10.83) and the most frequent comorbidity was hypertension, reported in 79% of the population. Conclusions: Absolute iron deficiency was diagnosed in 47.6% of patients attending the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction clinic, in an urban academic centre in South Africa.