Evaluation of Serum Ferritin Levels and its Relation with Severity and Duration of Hospitalization in Heart Failure Patients Admitted in Ganjavian Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common chronic illnesses. Despite the advancement in the management of heart failure, it still remains as one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity. Anemia is a common finding in heart failure patients and decreases both life quality and bodily function in this group of patients. It is also related with high mortality and morbidity. The aim of the present study was to determine the ferritin levels in heart failure patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on heart failure patients admitted in Ganjavian Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. Sampling was done by census method for three months duration (July-Sept 2019) and finally a total of 100 patients were recruited. Serum ferritin (ELISA), iron level and Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was measured in all of the patients. Iron and TIBC were measured with Autoanalizer. Results: Of the 100 patients, 34% were females and 66% were males. Mean age was 65.21 yrs. 49 patients had severe decrease in EF , while 51 had moderate decrease in EF. Based on EF, t-test showed significant statistical difference in regard to age and ferritin between the two groups (p<0.05), while other variables did not show significant difference. Correlation coefficient of variables in regard to patientchr('39')s age with BUN and Creatinine (p<0.05), BUN with Creatinine and serum ferritin (p<0.001), sodium and serum iron (p<0.05), and ESR with TIBC and CRP (p<0.05) demonstrated positive correlation. While a negative correlation was observed in cases of serum sodium and potassium (p<0.001), ESR and serum iron (p<0.05), and TIBC and ferritin (p<0.001). No other significant correlation was found among other variables (p>0.05). Conclusion: Results did not show significant relation between serum ferritin level with disease severity and complications. Thus, further studies are needed to prove the role of f ferritin as an independent risk factor in developing heart failure.