Results of prescribing intravenous iron supplements (ferinject) for adjusting ferritin level, on quality of life in patients with heart failure who has iron store deficiency

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigation of results of prescribing intravenous iron supplements (ferinject) for adjusting ferritin level, on quality of life in patients with heart failure who has iron store deficiency. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study which is done as a before and after study, the statistical population included all Heart Failure patients with iron deficiency hospitalized in Shahid Madani Hospital of Tabriz in the second half of 2019 and the first half of 2020 who received intravenous iron treatment with ferinject brand name from VIFOR PHARMA (41 patients) to correct ferritin levels. Sampling was done by availability. Demographic information of patients was extracted from their records in the hospital. Patients' quality of life was assessed before intravenous iron intake and 8 weeks after intravenous iron intake during subsequent visits or in case of non-referral by telephone using the SF-36 questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Results: In this study, the mean (standard deviation) age of the subjects was 63.27 (±8.5) years. Based on laboratory findings, median (25th and 75th percentages), ferritin level and TIBC level in these subjects were 40.0 (41.0-102.5) mg / dl and 297.0 (282.0-325.0) mcg / dl, respectively. It was micrograms per deciliter. The mean (standard deviation) of iron and hemoglobin levels were 42.78 (±7.5) mcg / dl and 63.27 (±8.5) g / dl, respectively. Among all the variables related to quality of life of CHF patients studied based on SF-36 questionnaire, variables of physical function (P <0.001), role limitation due to physical health (P <0.001), vitality (P <0.001) and role limitation due to emotional problems (P = 0.020) had a statistically significant increase in the period after treatment compared to before treatment and variable of the bodily Pain (P = 0.003) had a statistically significant decrease in the time period after treatment compared to before treatment; While in variables of the mental health, general health and social function, no statistically significant difference was observed between the time period before and after treatment (P <0.05). Also, according to the Minnesota MLHFQ questionnaire, the physical domain and the total score had a statistically significant decrease in the time period after treatment compared to before treatment (P <0.001); While the emotional domain, no statistically significant difference was observed between the time period before and after treatment (P <0.05).