Prevelance and the association of anaemia with clinical and functional parameters in patients with COPD who referred to a pulmonary rehabilitation programme

Polycytemia is commonly associated with COPD but recent reports suggest that anaemia is also prevalent Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevelance of anaemia in patients with COPD who referred to PR programme and to explore the clinical and functional associations between anaemia. Materials and Methods: 398 COPD patients who referred to Ataturk Chest Disease and Chest Surgery Traning Hospital PR Center between January 2008 December 2011 were evaluated retrospectively and 176 patients were included. Patients were classified as anaemic,polycythemic or normal.Dyspnea was assessed with the MRC and CRQ dyspnea scale;quality of life was assessed with SGRQ.Exercise capacity was measured using the ISWT,ESWT,body composition was assessed with BMI,FFMI,anxiety and depression were assessed with the HADS. Results: Anaemia was present in 14(8%)patients and polycythemia in 24(14%).BMI,FFM,FFMI,MRC,endurance time (ET)differed between anaemic,normal and polycythemic patients though there were no significant differences in the other parameters.Anaemic patients showed a significantly higher MRC than patients with normal, where body composition parameters in this group were lower than polystemic and the other group.Polycythemic patients had a significantly lower ET compared patients with normal. Anaemic patients walked the shortest distance in ISWT though this was not reach statisticaly significant level. Conclusion : Anaemia is associated with poor clinical and functional outcomes in patients with COPD who were referred PR programme and provide support for the evaluation and monitoring of anaemia in these patients.