Association of iron deficiency anaemia with the hospitalization and mortality rate of patients with COVID‑19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) illness led to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has caused enormous health and financial losses, as well as challenges to global health. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) has been linked to adverse outcomes in patients infected with SARS-COV-2. The present study aimed to assess the association between IDA and the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. For this purpose, a retrospective data analysis of 100 patients with COVID-19 was conducted. Data of patients hospitalized with SARS-COV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR were collected between June, 2021 and March, 2022. The collected data included patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical signs, symptoms and IDA medical laboratory findings, including complete blood count and iron profiles. The results revealed that patients with COVID-19 admitted to the isolation unit represented 61.0% of the study sample, whereas 39.0% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). No patients had stage I IDA, whereas 4 patients (4%) had stage II IDA. Furthermore, 19 patients (19.0%) had stage III IDA. A significantly higher proportion of patients with IDA (69.6%) were admitted to the ICU compared with those without IDA (29.9%, P<0.001). Additionally, patients with IDA had a higher proportion of a history of stroke compared with those without IDA (17.4 vs. 2.6%, respectively, P=0.024). The most common comorbidities identified were hypertension (29%), diabetes (23%) and heart problems (17%). On the whole, the present study demonstrates significant associations between IDA and a longer hospitalization period. A greater incidence of complications was observed in the hospitalized patients who were SARS-COV-2-positive. Although further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings, the results presented herein may provide insight for physicians as regards the prevention and treatment of patients with IDA who are infected with coronavirus.