Prevalence of Anemia and its Impact on Readmissions in Heart Failure with Reduced EF

Abstract

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a significant clinical challenge, often complicated by anemia, which worsens patient prognosis and increases hospital readmissions. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and its impact on readmissions among HFrEF patients admitted to the cardiology department of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. A cross-sectional observational study design was adopted, including adult patients diagnosed with HFrEF (ejection fraction ≤ 40%). Data were retrospectively collected from medical records, including demographic information, hemoglobin levels, comorbidities, and six-month readmission history. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results revealed a high prevalence of anemia (61.1%) among HFrEF patients, with a significantly higher readmission rate (44.7%) compared to non-anemic patients (22.7%). Logistic regression indicated that anemia was an independent predictor of hospital readmission after adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities. The study concluded that anemia substantially contributed to adverse clinical outcomes and increased readmission risk among patients with HFrEF. It emphasized the need for routine anemia screening and management in heart failure care to improve patient outcomes. Future studies should focus on prospective and interventional research to evaluate the long-term benefits of anemia correction in reducing morbidity and mortality in HFrEF populations.