ANALYSIS OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) and has been associated with decreased performance status, frequent hospitalizations for heart failure decompensation and with a worse quality of life.

Aim: To compare the prevalence and parameters of ID between diabetic and nondiabetic patients, including those with LVAD implantation.

Sample and Methodology: In our study were conducted 102 patients with advanced HF. Patients were stratified into diabetic and nondiabetic groups. ID was assessed using specific laboratory parameters: serum ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), serum iron and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR). Statistical analysis was performed to compare iron status across the groups.

Results: The prevalence of ID in all patients with advanced HF was 64%. The prevalence of ID did not differ significantly between diabetics and non-diabetics, with a prevalence of 62% among diabetics and 65% among non-diabetics (p=0.18). However, if we consider the presence of LVAD, in the diabetic group with LVAD, 90% of patients had ID, whereas only 57% of non-diabetics had ID (p=0.05). There were statistically significant differences in ID parameters between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with LVAD, namely T-sat (p=0.04), ferritin (p=0.05) and serum iron (p=0.04).

Conclusion: There was no significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with heart failure. Among patients with LVAD, prevalence of ID in diabetics was significantly higher compared with non-diabetics, which may be due to chronic inflammation, poorer renal function and acid-base imbalance.

Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the project National Institute for Research of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (Programme EXCELES, ID Project No. LX22NPO5104) – Funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU.