The Impact of Anemia on Long-Term Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Anemia is a risk factor for mortality within the general population and is notably prevalent among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our objective was to investigate the impact of anemia on the long-term mortality risk of hospitalized COPD patients. Additionally, we aimed to identify the cause of mortality to assess whether it was different in relation to the presence of anemia.

Patients and methods: This was an observational retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients admitted because of COPD exacerbation. Clinical characteristics, the presence of anemia, months of survival and cause of death if occurred, were recorded. Patients were categorized into two groups: anemic (for women hemoglobin level < 12 g/dL and for men hemoglobin level < 13 g/dL) and non-anemic. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

Results: A total of 125 patients (20% women) were included in the study. Among them, 31 (25%) were identified as anemic, By the conclusion of the study, 59 patients (47%) had died: 27 out of 31 anemic patients (87%) and 32 out of 94 non-anemic patients (34%) (p<0.001). Anemia was a robust predictor of mortality one year after admission (adjusted hazard ratio HR; 5.20 [1.86-14.55]); three years after admission (HR 4.30 [2.03-9.10]), and at the study's termination (with a follow-up period ranging from a minimum of 38 months to a maximum of 56 months) (HR; 3.80 [1.96-7.38]). Mortality in the group of patients with anemia was of 27 individuals (87%) and 32 (34%) in patients without anemia (p<0.001). The causes of mortality in patients with or without anemia were similar.

Conclusion: The detection of anemia upon admission for COPD exacerbation serves as a robust predictor of mortality in the subsequent years.