Prevalence of anemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This disease affects the lungs and organs outside the lungs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia in patients who were referred to teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Methodology: Three hundred ninety two patients with COPD who attended to the teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, from March to June 2009 were assessed. Laboratory and clinical data of patients was gathered from their medical records. We used global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria in order to categorize severity of disease in patients. Results: The mean age of patients was 66.5±12.3 years and 289 (73.7%) subjects were men. The overall prevalence of anemia was 36.7% (95% CI: 31%-41%). Twenty two females (21.4%) and 110 males (38.1%) were anemic. There was a positive correlation between age and hemoglobin level. In group two (COPD stages I to II), there was 43.5% prevalence of anemia versus 34.1% in group three (COPD stages III to IV). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of anemia in patients with COPD. Anemia can limit the physical activity of these patients and worsen dyspnea. Therefore, more attention needs to he given to anemia while managing these patients in clinics.