A study with over 80,000 admissions to a hospital in Western Australia investigated acquired anemia during hospitalization and its relationship with mortality and length of stay.
35% of patients without anemia upon admission developed acquired anemia in the hospital, resulting in over half of them experiencing anemia at some point during their hospital stay.
Anemia, even when mild, was associated with mortality:
1.59 times higher for mild cases. 2.77 times higher for moderate/severe cases.
Emergency patients 1.52 times longer length of stay for mild cases 2.18 times longer length of stay for moderate/severe cases
Elective patients 1.30 times longer length of stay for mild cases 1.69 times longer length of stay for moderate/severe cases
Regardless of anemia, transfusion was associated with:
2.23 times higher mortality 1.31 times longer length of stay
In addition to the overall numbers of anemia mentioned above, there are patients who develop anemia during a hospital stay, and this anemia was associated with increased mortality and length of stay. Transfusion to treat anemia seemed to increase the risk of a patient having a longer hospital stay and dying (see the table “Anemia in hospitalized patients: a neglected risk in healthcare”). Of extreme importance is the fact that, in anemic patients at discharge, about half of them still remain anemic six to twelve months later.
Symptoms and effects of iron deficiency and anemia:
Iron deficiency: increased mortality increased ICU and hospital stay impaired myocardial function compromised immune function increased infection increased risk of blood transfusion weakness, fatigue, lethargy hair loss headache
Anemia: increased mortality increased hospital admissions and readmissions compromised immune function reduced survival in cancer cases increased risk of infection increased risk of acute kidney injury increased risk of stroke
Anemia: increased hospital length of stay (LOS) Heart failure increased risk of blood transfusion easy fatigue and loss of energy abnormally fast heart rate, especially during exercise reduced exercise tolerance shortness of breath and headache, especially with effort difficulty concentrating dizziness paleness insomnia increased risk of psychiatric disorders negative effects on marital and sexual relationships during pregnancy, for the baby: low birth weight stillbirth and perinatal asphyxia increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder increased risk of autism spectrum disorder decreased intellectual capacity
Iron deficiency: irritability exercise intolerance cognitive dysfunction craving for non-food substances, especially ice (pica) sore mouth with cracks upward curvature of the nails poor nutrition restless leg syndrome during pregnancy, for the baby: premature birth and low birth weight neurocognitive changes reduction in concentration, cognition, and motor function up to 25 years of age