STUDY THE FREQUENCY OF ANAEMIA IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Background & Objectives:  Anemia is a common co-existing entity in numerous chronic diseases like COPD, but has little published evidence stating its association with this disease. The effect of COPD on the health related quality of life and mortality in COPD patients, also remains least explored. The recent studies have suggested that anemia in patients with COPD has a frequent prevalence ranging from 7.5% to 34%. This data indicate towards the necessity of knowing the real prevalence and clinical impact of Anaemia of Chronic Disease in COPD and how does it affect their Health Related Quality of Life.

Methods: This study was conducted on all consecutive stable COPD patients and related data was recorded. The St George Respiratory Questionnare (SGRQ) and the BODE index (Body Mass Index, FEV₁, Dyspnoea, Exercise Capacity) was used to analyze the Health Related Quality of Life and the morbidity level of included patients.

Results: 32 COPD patients had anaemia. The analysis showed significantly higher symptom score in the anaemic COPD patients (p=0.04). Also anaemics had significantly lesser BMI (p=0.03), significantly poor dyspnoea score (p=0.05) and significantly lesser six minute walk distance (p=0.05).

Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia in stable COPD patients is 32%, which is significantly associated with low BMI, dyspnoea and reduced exercise capacity. These factors can affect the quality of life of COPD patients thus, leading to increased morbidity. Hence, treating anaemia should hold a special place in treatment regime for COPD.